Red Hummingbird Tree (Sesbania Grandiflora)

Sesbania grandiflora is a fast-growing tropical tree with an open, sparsely branched crown and large, hanging pea-shaped flowers. Species references describe separate white-flowered and rose-pink or red-flowered forms, so flower color varies across the species. [National Tropical Botanical Garden](https://ntbg.org/database/plants/detail/Sesbania-grandiflora) [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A518476-1/general-information) ## Growing conditions Provide warmth, full sun, and room for a quick-growing small tree. It is associated with wet and moist tropical environments, and the National Tropical Botanical Garden notes tolerance of seasonal waterlogging, alkaline soil, and saline soil. Follow local rainfall and drainage when establishing it; this tolerance does not mean it should be planted where salt water continually floods the roots. [NTBG](https://ntbg.org/database/plants/detail/Sesbania-grandiflora) [JIRCAS](https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/database/thaivege/091) ## Garden character The leaves are pinnately compound, and its large pendulous blooms stand out against the open branching structure. The species is grown as an ornamental as well as for forage and other tropical uses. Its size and cold response depend strongly on climate, so reserve it for a warm site and allow the canopy to develop without crowding nearby plants. [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A518476-1/general-information) ## Maintenance Keep young trees watered while they establish, then adapt irrigation to local rainfall and soil. Remove damaged or crossing shoots to keep the crown open, and prune only when needed to manage size or remove storm-damaged wood. Because the species grows quickly and is short-lived in some cultivation settings, check supports and nearby structures as it develops. [NTBG](https://ntbg.org/database/plants/detail/Sesbania-grandiflora)