Hot tropics: Pride of Barbados, palm & agave combo
My son often asks me to drop him off at a friend’s house, and this arresting combo along their neighbor’s curb catches my eye every time. It’s bold, textural, and, in summer, bright with Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) blooms. Yesterday I had my camera with me and took a few pics. Shazam!
These folks absolutely love their big, bold plants. Don’t you feel like you’re in the tropics? Two enormous Pride of Barbados plants flank each side of their driveway, blazing away red-orange and yellow.
Pride of Barbados, also known as dwarf poinciana, is the national flower of Barbados. But it grows well in Austin’s zone 8b, proving fatally tender only in a severe cold snap. Mulching the base during winter can give it a little extra protection and is easy to do.
The feathery green leaves give the shrub a somewhat airy appearance. Its branching stems are spiny. I used not to care for tropical-esque plants like these, but this one’s grown on me. Pride of Barbados provides traffic-stopping summer color, and it’s drought tolerant and deer resistant. What’s not to like?
And of course, a handsome agave makes everything around it look even better.
All material © 2006-2012 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
It is an exciting color. I love that those feathery leaves look so delicate yet they are obviously tough.
Beautiful combination, it does feel very tropical. A huge row of the Pride of Barbados is so stunning and it seems they are blooming more this year with the mild winter and rain.
Lovely combo! I just hope in “real life” that little Agave (Whales tongue perhaps?) in your 2nd and 4th photos isn’t as hidden by the Pride of Barbados as it appears to be.
It does appear to be overwhelmed by the Pride of Barbados. It’s pretty close to the curb too. It wouldn’t be easy to park in front of this garden. —Pam
I love these. I see them growing in neighborhoods that I know have deer.
We tried one, when we first moved here. The deer ate the blooms. Then the winter finished it off.
We’re thinking of getting a lot more wire. I don’t like ‘caged’ plants. But, that may be the only way to have some of the things we love.
The deer don’t seem to touch them in our neighborhood, Linda. You must really have hungry deer! —Pam
I remember seeing it in Guatemala years ago, along with 30′ rubber plants. whew..
It is a pretty one for sure!! Love it.
I love Pride of Barbados, I have the more unusual pink one as a flowering shrub and planted seeds of the red/orange which are yet to bloom. Also love the yellow-I plan to get them all! I also have that agave, I wonder if anyone can identify it-Ferox?
I haven’t seen a pink-flowering POB before—it sounds pretty. I don’t know what kind of agave that is, but it’s a biggie. It could be A. ferox. —Pam
I like it! If I lived in Texas, I think I would plant it. I love the colors–reminds me of the colors of some Lantana and Zinnia varieties–two of my favorites!
love love love! I feel like this whoever gardens here is a kindred spirit!!!
Hi Pam,
Love your site and amazing photography. On Sept 28, the city of Coppell is hosting a Smart Scape Tour. We are in Dallas County Near DFW. If you are in the area at this time , I think you would enjoy it. Some of our gardens standout in a town of traditional landscapes. We are trying to be like Austin in North Dallas. My brother lives in Buda so we love to go to some of the cool nurseries in Austin ! Thanks for your great work.
Sincerely,
Peter
Thanks for the info, Peter. I just posted a notice about the tour on my blog’s Facebook page. I hope you have a good turnout. —Pam