Red is a color that humans -like other animals, like many birds- are attracted to. That's why, a garden or patio with red flowering trees is eye catching, and it can be really precious if the plant that we have acquired is suitable for the space in which it is located.
But of course, sometimes when we go to a nursery we find trees with leaves, but without any flowers, for this reason, I am going to tell you about a few so that you can get to know them.
Red cotton (Bombax ceiba)
the red cotton It is a deciduous tree that develops a straight trunk with thorns up to 30 meters high., and a dense crown made up of green compound leaves. The flowers are red, trumpet-shaped, and when they wither they produce fruits whose fibers have the same uses as cotton (hence its name). You can only have it all year round outside if there are no frosts in your area.
Red-flowered Jupiter tree (Lagerstroemia indica 'Red Imperator')
Image - baumschule-horstmann.de
The Jupiter tree is actually more than a tree, it is a large shrub, but if it is pruned it is relatively easy to have it as a small tree. In fact, reaches about 10 meters in height, so you have the option to work it as you wish. The leaves are green and deciduous, but what is most striking are its flowers, which in the 'Red Imperator' variety are a very beautiful deep red. It withstands frosts down to -12ºC very well, but it is important that it is planted in acid soils so that it grows well.
weeping callistemon (Callistemon viminalis)
The weeping callistemon or weeping pipe cleaner as it is also called, It is an evergreen tree whose maximum height is 8 meters. As its name suggests, it has a weeping appearance, that is, the branches seem to "hang", something that gives it a very pretty appearance. Its flowers are red and look like pipe cleaners. These sprout in spring-summer. It is a frost-resistant plant, being able to withstand temperatures down to -7ºC.
Red flowering dogwood (Cornus florida 'Red Giant')
Image - vdberk.es
The 'Red Giant' florida dogwood is a deciduous small tree or shrub that can be easily formed as a tree reaching a maximum of 7 meters in height. It is a plant that blooms in spring, before the leaves sprout or at the same time as these. And these flowers are a very pretty reddish-pink color. In addition, its foliage turns red in autumn, making it a species with a high ornamental value, capable of withstanding frosts down to -20ºC. The only drawback is that it must be planted in acidic soils, as it does not tolerate alkaline ones.
red eucalyptus (Corymbia ficifolia)
Image - Wikimedia / Bidgee
The red eucalyptus (which in reality, although it is genetically related to the Eucalyptus true, it is not, hence botanists have included it in the genus Corymbia), It is an evergreen tree or small tree that reaches 12 meters in height.. Its crown is somewhat irregular when ripe, made up of green leaves whose central nerve is green-yellowish. The flowers are red and small. As for its rusticity, it is interesting that you know that it resists frosts of up to -5ºC, as well as high temperatures, of 35ºC.
Flamboyant (Delonix direction)
El flamboyan It is one of the most cultivated trees in tropical regions around the world. It is a medium deciduous tree, reaching 10-12 meters in height., and which develops a magnificent parasol-shaped cup which can measure a width of 5-6 meters once it reaches adulthood. The flowers are red, and they are shaped like a butterfly when they open, something they do in spring. But it is important that you keep in mind that it does not resist the cold; if the temperature drops below 0 degrees, bring it indoors in the fall so it doesn't suffer.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
El pomegranate It is a small tree or large deciduous shrub that can be up to 5 meters tall.. It is a thorny plant, so you have to be careful when handling it, but otherwise it is very grateful: if it is placed in a sunny place and receives water from time to time, it will flower without any problem. And speaking of flowers, these bloom in spring, and they are red. It resists frost down to -10ºC.
hake pincushion (Hake laurina)
The hakea pincushion or emu bush, It is a low evergreen tree that grows up to 6 meters high.. It has lance-shaped leaves, green, and very curious flowers that resemble sea urchins or ballerina pompoms whose center is red. It is a species that can be kept in a pot, and that is very interesting for temperate and subtropical climates, as it can withstand temperatures of up to -4ºC.
weeping schotia (schotia brachypetala)
the weeping schotia It is an evergreen tree that reaches between 5 and 20 meters., depending on the type of soil and whether it rains frequently or not. Thus, if the fertility of the soil is high, and also the rains fall throughout the year, it is possible to grow a large tree; otherwise, it would stay smaller. The flowers are dark red, and produce nectar.
Gabon tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata)
Image – Wikimedia/Steven Haw
El gabon tulip tree is another tree, or rather a small tree, that does not usually exceed 7 meters in height, but when the weather is warm throughout the year, it has enough space and it rains frequently, it can reach 20 meters. It is cultivated in tropical regions for the beauty of its bell-shaped red flowers, which usually bloom in spring, but in cool climates it will do so later. It supports the cold, but if there are frosts in the area, it will have to be protected.
Do you know other trees with red flowers?