Pride of Barbados

Pride of Barbados is a showy, warm-climate shrub or small tree with finely divided foliage and clusters of orange-red flowers with long red stamens. Its bright summer display and rounded, multi-stemmed form make it a striking specimen or border accent. ## Identification and siting The [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1164658-2) accepts Caesalpinia pulcherrima. [North Carolina State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/caesalpinia-pulcherrima/) identifies Pride of Barbados as a common name and describes orange-red flowers, fern-like leaves, prickly stems, zones 9 and warmer as a shrub or zone 8 perennial, and a potential 10–20 foot tropical size. It performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. ## Maintenance Give the plant room away from narrow paths because stems are prickly. Water deeply but infrequently during active growth once established; avoid poorly drained soil. In frost-prone areas, stems may die back and the plant may behave as a perennial rather than a woody shrub. Handle seed pods carefully; extension guidance notes that seeds can be poisonous if ingested.