Dragonsblood tree
Pterocarpus officinalis · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around dragonsblood tree and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Bloodwood, American Guaiac
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (March-April)
- Adult size
- 15 to 25 m in height
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, frost-sensitive
- Origin
- Amazon and wetland zones of South America
- Soil type
- Rich, well-drained soil, tolerating moisture
Care
Watering
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, particularly during growth. In dry periods, increase watering frequency. Gradually reduce watering after flowering. This species tolerates the wet and marshy environments of its natural habitat well.
Light and exposure
Place your bloodwood in full sun or partial shade. Good light promotes healthy growth and generous flowering. Indoors or in a greenhouse, choose a very bright location near a south-facing window.
Soil
Use a rich, organic-matter-based soil mix, slightly acidic to neutral. Good drainage is important despite tolerance for moisture. Enrich the soil with well-decomposed compost when planting.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring and during growth, every 15 to 20 days. Reduce or stop feeding in autumn-winter. A potassium-rich fertilizer promotes flowering and wood strength.
Pruning and training
Perform light pruning after flowering to maintain a harmonious shape and improve crown ventilation. Remove dead or poorly oriented branches. This slow-growing species requires only moderate intervention.
Diseases and pests
Watch for mealybugs and spider mites, especially in dry environments. Stagnant excess moisture can promote root rot. Maintain good air circulation and regularly inspect foliage.
Did you know?
Pterocarpus officinalis gets its French name "Bois de sang" (bloodwood) from its sap and heartwood, which display a deep blood-red hue highly prized since colonial times for dye production. This majestic tree of Amazonian flooded forests plays a major ecological role, forming with its aerial roots refuge zones for aquatic fauna in tropical wet environments.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Chinese wisteriaWisteria sinensis
- Common broomCytisus scoparius
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- Common PeaLathyrus oleraceus
- Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
- Hairy greenweedGenista pilosa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.