Intermediate
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Sesbania punicea (Rattlebox)
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2 hours care
per year
per year
4m
Max height
Max height
2.5m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Sesbania punicea
Other names
Rattlebox, Daubentonia punicea, Daubentonia tripetii, Sesbania tripetii, Scarlet wisteria, Red wisteria, False poinciana, Purple sesbane, Rattlebush, Spanish gold, Red sesbania
Genus
Sesbania Sesbania
Species
S. punicea - S. punicea is a tender, upright to spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree bearing pinnate leaves with paired, oblong, mid- to dark green leaflets and racemes of pea-like, orange-red to reddish-purple flowers in summer followed by long, four-winged, green seedpods that mature brown.
Sesbania punicea is: Deciduous
Habit
Spreading, Upright
Toxicity
All parts, especially the seeds are highly toxic to humans, mammals, birds, and reptiles if ingested. Contact with sap may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.
Flower
Orange-red, Reddish-purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. Deadhead if practical to restrict spread and to promote a second flush of flowers.
Propagation
Self-seeds freely in moist soils in warm climates. Classified as an invasive species in many parts of the Southern and Western United States.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings
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Where to grow
Sesbania punicea (Rattlebox) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 2.5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Conservatory, Containers, Indoor, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly; sparingly in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Site carefully as may be invasive.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Sesbania punicea
Other names
Rattlebox, Daubentonia punicea, Daubentonia tripetii, Sesbania tripetii, Scarlet wisteria, Red wisteria, False poinciana, Purple sesbane, Rattlebush, Spanish gold, Red sesbania
Genus
Sesbania Sesbania
Species
S. punicea - S. punicea is a tender, upright to spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree bearing pinnate leaves with paired, oblong, mid- to dark green leaflets and racemes of pea-like, orange-red to reddish-purple flowers in summer followed by long, four-winged, green seedpods that mature brown.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading, Upright
Toxicity
All parts, especially the seeds are highly toxic to humans, mammals, birds, and reptiles if ingested. Contact with sap may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.
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Colour
Flower
Orange-red, Reddish-purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. Deadhead if practical to restrict spread and to promote a second flush of flowers.
Propagation
Self-seeds freely in moist soils in warm climates. Classified as an invasive species in many parts of the Southern and Western United States.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Sesbania punicea (Rattlebox) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 2.5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Conservatory, Containers, Indoor, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly; sparingly in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Site carefully as may be invasive.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
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, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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