Erythrina crista-galli is a fast growing deciduous tree that can be kept as a shrub.
Its main feature is its incredible giant, pea-shaped, red flowers which appear in spring and summer. When in bloom the flowers make a wonderful sight both close-up and from a distance.
The leaves are made up of three ovate leaflets with small recurved prickles along the leaf midribs and petioles.
The branches also have short sharp prickles and tend to be brittle - so don't plant too close to breakable things like glasshouses.
Often considered a weed because it spreads easily as, the seeds germinate very easily, broken branches will form roots and the vigorous roots can become invasive.
Can be grown as a specimen tree or in pots and containers.