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Erythrina x bidwillii (Shrub coral tree)
1 hour care
per year
per year
4m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Erythrina x bidwillii
Other names
Shrub coral tree, Fireman's cap, Bidwill's hybrid coral bean, Coralbean hybrid, Coral bean tree
Genus
Erythrina Erythrina
Species
E. x bidwillii - E. x bidwillii is a borderline hardy, deciduous subshrub or shrub with spiny stems bearing pinnate leaves divided into three ovate to oblong, light to mid-green leaflets and clusters or racemes of dark red flowers in summer. Treat as a woody-based perennial in the coldest areas of its growing range.
Erythrina x bidwillii is: Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Upright
Toxicity
Seeds are poisonous
Flower
Dark-red in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1 as a shrub. Cut back frost and cold damaged stems in early spring before new growth resumes.
Propagation
Sow seed at 21-24C (70-75F) in spring.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Erythrina x bidwillii (Shrub coral tree) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Mulch in winter. Treat as a perennial in the coldest areas of its growing range. Alternatively, grow in a container and overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Erythrina x bidwillii
Other names
Shrub coral tree, Fireman's cap, Bidwill's hybrid coral bean, Coralbean hybrid, Coral bean tree
Genus
Erythrina Erythrina
Species
E. x bidwillii - E. x bidwillii is a borderline hardy, deciduous subshrub or shrub with spiny stems bearing pinnate leaves divided into three ovate to oblong, light to mid-green leaflets and clusters or racemes of dark red flowers in summer. Treat as a woody-based perennial in the coldest areas of its growing range.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Upright
Toxicity
Seeds are poisonous
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Colour
Flower
Dark-red in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1 as a shrub. Cut back frost and cold damaged stems in early spring before new growth resumes.
Propagation
Sow seed at 21-24C (70-75F) in spring.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Erythrina x bidwillii (Shrub coral tree) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Mulch in winter. Treat as a perennial in the coldest areas of its growing range. Alternatively, grow in a container and overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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