Red sesbania
Sesbania punicea · Fabaceae
📷 Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0
⚠️ Graines contiennent cyanogènes; ingestion par chiens/chats/enfants cause nausées, vomissements, troubles digestifs graves.
The gardener's calendar
Red sesbania is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Common name
- Hyères Flame Tree
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Type
- Deciduous tree
- Adult height
- Up to 3 m
- Flowering
- June to September
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Hardiness
- Warm temperate climate, light frosts tolerated
- Origin
- Brazil
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability low.
Expert tips
The key tip
Sesbania grows fast but flowers slowly if over-fertilized: avoid excessive nitrogen that creates foliage at the expense of red-orange flowers. Prune in February to get a branched structure rather than a single stem.
The common mistake
Don't overprune during the first two years: you need to leave 1-1.5 m of height for it to flower abundantly from summer onwards in 2-3 years.
The pro's trick
Cut back right after flowering (September) to force a second flush of flowers in October before the first frosts.
Care
Exposure
Install your Sesbania punicea in full sun for generous and colorful flowering. It tolerates hot and sunny exposures well. A lack of light will significantly reduce the production of spectacular flowers.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing and flowering period, keeping the soil moist but well-drained. Reduce watering in winter, especially after the leaves fall. Avoid excess moisture which could promote root rot.
Soil and planting
Prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter. The Hyères Flame Tree adapts to different soil types but fears waterlogging. Enrich the planting hole with potting soil or well-decomposed compost.
Fertilization
Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring and early summer to support growth and flowering. Moderate application is sufficient: this tree is not very demanding. Reduce fertilization after August.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a harmonious shape and encourage branching. Remove dead or poorly oriented branches. Gentle pruning is enough; this tree does not appreciate severe cuts.
Diseases and pests
Sesbania punicea is generally robust. Watch for scale insects and spider mites in dry conditions. Good drainage and air circulation prevent fungal problems. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially in spring.
Did you know?
Sesbania punicea owes its nickname Hyères Flame Tree to its spectacular orange and red flowers that illuminate French Mediterranean gardens. Although native to Brazil, it has naturalized in southern France, notably around the town of Hyères, where it captivates with its generous and prolonged summer flowering.
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.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.