The Royal Poincianas are in Bloom
Native to the island of Madagascar, many have described Royal Poinciana also known as Delonix regia as the most beautiful tree in the world. Its showy blossoms are typically red to scarlet, but can been found in many shades ranging from red to orange to yellow. Flowers are 3 to 4 inches across, with 4 spoon-shaped petals and a distinct upright petal.
The trees grow up 40 feet tall and are often wider than tall, between 40-60 feet. The bark is a light, mottled gray, and the branches are spreading. The leaves are compound, fern-like with many leaflets arranged like a feather, 12 to 22 inches long. During Florida’s dry winter season, Royal Poinciana is deciduous and drops its leaves. After flowering, long and brown seed pods which are 2 inches across to 2 ½ feet long appear and split at maturity.
Plant Royal Poinciana in full sun or partial shade, but it prefers the sunny location. Delonix grows and blooms best in well drained soils. Irrigate newly-planted trees to establish during the first year after planting. Thereafter, Royal Poinciana is very drought tolerant. Pick a good open spot in the middle of your front lawn away from pavement so it has plenty of room to grow. Due to the tendency for roots to grow on the surface, plant Royal Poinciana 10 to 20 feet away from sidewalks and driveways to lessen the chance of damage. Delonix also produces a heavy amount of shade, and most turfs grow poorly underneath.
Generally, Delonix is pest resistant and has no extraordinary nutrient needs. Prune while young to encourage strong branch attachment, Delonix is know for its brittle wood and tendency to breakup in windstorms, proper pruning can help compensate for this characteristic. Avoid topping while pruning, which in this case means cutting the longer branches off in the middle. Topping trees makes them ugly and more susceptible to damage during windstorms.
Royal Poincianas are blooming now. Be on the lookout for the Delonix caterpillar which travels in herds up and down the trunk at dawn and dusk. This occasional pest can defoliate the tree, though does not cause permanent damage.