“Bought from Etsy last winter — red and yellow flank both sides of the driveway.”
Background
The yellow royal poinciana is Delonix regia var. flavida, a naturally occurring yellow-flowered variety of the Madagascar native — not a separate species or a modern hybrid. It is less common in cultivation than the red form, and growers note it can be slower to reach flowering age. It shares the red form's history: Bojer's 19th-century Madagascar discovery and rise to global tropical icon. The UA arboretum notes it was rediscovered growing wild in Madagascar in the 1930s and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful tropical trees.
Distinguishing traits
Identical habit to the red form — wide umbrella canopy, fern-like foliage — with clear yellow blooms instead of scarlet. Matt's red and yellow flank both sides of the driveway. The UA arboretum describes royal poinciana as a fast-growing tree of 20-50 feet tall and 50-100 feet wide, with broad umbrella-shaped crowns and red summer flowers.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- n/a — ornamental
- Cold hardiness
- Zones 10-12; frost-sensitive. Protect young trees from freezing.
- Heat tolerance
- Thrives in full desert heat once established.
- Water
- Moderate; deep infrequent summer watering; avoid overwatering, especially while young.
- Soil
- Well-drained. The UA arboretum notes it tolerates a wide range of soils, sandy to clay and acidic to alkaline, and as a nitrogen-fixing legume it improves soil.
- Sun exposure
- Full sun.