Erythrina crista-galli
Coral tree, Common coral tree, Cockspur coral tree, Cry-baby tree
Also known as Corallodendron crista-gallii, Erythrina pulcherrima, Erythrina 'Crispa-Galli'
- Height × spread
- 9m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A showy tree that delights the eye when in flower. The blooms are held in long tapering sprays. The buds are tight-looking, yellow and pink with red petals poking out. The flowers themselves, like great curved claws, are highly exotic. The leaves are smooth, look rather synthetic and are pointed with a pale central vein. They are held on what could be mistaken for plastic green stalks. It is in bloom for two or three months in summer and autumn. This can be grown as a tree or a wood plant of modest height. As a tree it can reach up to 9 metres in height. If treated as a perennial it is cut back to near ground level each autumn and will only be likely to reach around 1.5 metres high. This is unlikely to be hardy out of doors all year except in the warmer parts of the country. It is often grown in a container and brought inside for winter. If grown in a container it needs regular watering whilst in growth and a general feed twice monthly. It can be pruned to regulate its size in a container.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 9m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Wall cover, Architectural
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- Yes, plant with caution; Humans: CAUTION hazardous neurotoxin if eaten
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with high nitrogen feed
Use a houseplant feed that is high in nitrogen each fortnight from May until August.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a high value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth
Adopt a regime whereby plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).