Clianthus puniceus
Parrot's bill, Lobster claw, Kaka's beak, Glory pea
Also known as Clianthus puniceus 'Red Admiral', Clianthus puniceus 'Red Cardinal'
- Height × spread
- 4m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is one of those once-seen never-forgotten plants, if you are fortunate enough to see its curious and spectacular flowers. They have some hooked petals which give them a claw-like appearance likened to the bill of a parrot. There is pretty fresh green pinnate foliage to set off these amazing claw-shaped flower clusters. It needs a warm sunny wall or sheltered site, and being tender, requires winter protection in frost-prone areas. At times, it may be attacked by snails so vigilance or chemical protection may also be needed.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 3m
- Height in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Mediterranean garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Walls
- South facing
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply a protective mulch
Protect the crown of the plant in winter in areas that are prone to frost and cold. For short term protection a fleece can be used, otherwise fill mesh sacks with masses of straw and secure them over the plant's crown.
The 'traditional method' is to put wire or other netting over the plant, layer plenty of straw on top of this and then secure the whole with more netting.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come 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.
Summer · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
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.