Tropical Red Cluster Flowers
- Clusters of red ixora flowers brighten a garden.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Tropical plants often produce a profusion of attractive flowers, and some species go further by bearing large clusters of flowers. A number of easy-to-cultivate tropical plants produce clusters of red flowers. Some varieties bloom with delicate flowers throughout the year, while others become covered in blooms for only a few months. - The peacock flower produces clusters of red flowers with long stamens.tropical flower image by Dariusz Kopestynski from Fotolia.com
The peacock flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) is tropical American in origin and is cultivated for its showy clusters of red and yellow flowers. It produces feathery leaves, and its bowl-shaped blooms feature long stamens and wrinkled petals. It flowers throughout the year in tropical areas, followed by flattened seedpods that ripen from green to brown. Peacock flower grows well in the sun and will tolerate drought, albeit with reduced flowering. One cultivar produces yellow rather than red flowers. - Ixora flowers come in upturned clusters.ixora image by fotomagic from Fotolia.com
Native to Sumatra, Ixora or jungle flame (Ixora macrothyrsa) produces upturned clusters of small tubular flowers bright red in color. It thrives in sunshine with some shade and does best in an acidic soil with a pH of around 5.0. Ixora cultivars produce flowers from white and yellow to pink. Gardeners can prune ixora shrubs into a hedge that grows up to 8 feet high. Pruning the tips off branches inhibits flowering as it removes new buds. - The coral tree produces clusters of red flowers.Korallenbaum image by leiana from Fotolia.com
The South American cockspur coral tree (Erithrina crista-galli) can grow to 30 feet and survives temperatures as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit. It resists drought once it's established and grows well in full sun. It produces large, drooping clusters of deep red flowers shaped like the cockscomb of a rooster. The cockspur coral tree is propagated from semi-woody cuttings or from seed that must be soaked prior to sowing. - Chinese honeysuckle (Quisqualis indica) is a creeping shrub with large clusters of tubular flower with a long, thin tube up to 3 inches long and small petals. The flowers start out white and turn dark red over a few days. The spiny stems can reach 60 feet but it is best to keep Rangoon creeper pruned back to encourage new growth and flowers. Chinese honeysuckle needs full sun and plenty of water.
- African tulip tree petals are easily damaged by wind.bouquet de tulipes du Gabon image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
The African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata) is a forest species from West Africa cultivated for its clusters of large, bell-shaped flowers. The tulip tree can reach 80 feet but is normally much smaller with a flattened crown. The flowers are upturned and a reddish orange color with yellow markings in the throat and crinkled edges. Tulip trees grow best in a sheltered spot as they are brittle and easily damaged by the wind.
