Erythrina crista-galli (Common Coral Tree)

Award-winning Erythrina crista-galli (Common Coral Tree) is a small, deciduous, corky-barked tree with attractive foliage and showy flowers. Its spiny branches are covered with leathery, dark green leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm), composed of 3 triangular leaflets. They remain fresh-looking throughout the growing season. Magnificent, coral-red, velvety, pea-like flowers borne in drooping clusters, up to 2 ft. long (60 cm), bloom after the leaves unfurl in mid-spring. Up to two additional waves of bloom may occur in summer to early fall depending on the environment. The blossoms give way to seed pods, 3-8 in. long (7-20 cm) which ripen to brown. Long-lived, Common Coral Tree is an excellent ornamental flowering tree, shade tree or street tree where winter hardy.

As a member of the Fabaceae (legume) family, it is related to peas and beans, and striking trees like Flamboyant, Orchid Tree, Silver Wattle, Red Bird of Paradise, Coral Tree, and Paloverde.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 15-20 ft. tall (4-6 m) and 10-15 ft. wide (3-5 m).
• Easily grown in sandy, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Protect with thick mulch in winter.
• Great as a specimen plant in Mediterranean gardens, cottage gardens and containers.
• Virtually disease free and pest free. Keep an eye out for twig borers, thrips and nematodes.
• Best to prune this tree at least annually to remove the past year’s spent flower spikes, to encourage repeat flowering and maintain size.
• The plant contains alkaloids that have powerful narcotic and purgative effects. The seeds of all members of this genus are said to be poisonous to animals and humans.
• Propagate by seed, softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings.
• Native to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.