Other Names:  Coral Bean Tree

Description:

A deciduous tree with mounded habit on a tan furrowed trunk; dazzling coral-red flower clusters all summer; attractive large green leaves turn with the sun; attracts hummingbirds

Ornamental Features

Pito Coral Tree features showy clusters of coral-pink tubular flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to late summer. It has attractive green deciduous foliage. The large heart-shaped leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color. The fruits are showy dark brown pods displayed in early fall. The furrowed tan bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Pito Coral Tree is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Pito Coral Tree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Pito Coral Tree will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.