Coral Tree: Care Guide

Spectacular crimson blooms, exotic tropical drama for UK gardens

The Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli), also known as the Cockspur Coral Tree, is one of the most dramatic flowering trees you can grow in a UK garden. Its deep crimson-red, waxy flower clusters blaze against lush green foliage throughout summer, creating a truly exotic display. Grown from seed at our Norfolk nursery, this deciduous tree rewards patient gardeners with repeat flowering and a genuinely tropical feel.

Overview

  • Latin name: Erythrina crista-galli
  • Common name: Coral Tree / Cockspur Coral Tree
  • Type: Deciduous tree/shrub
  • Height: 2–4m in UK conditions (can be kept smaller in containers)
  • Flowers: June–September, deep crimson-red waxy clusters
  • Foliage: Lush green, trifoliate leaves
  • Hardiness: Hardy to approximately -5°C with protection; dies back in winter and re-shoots in spring

Ideal Growing Conditions

  • Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil; tolerates a range of soil types provided drainage is good
  • Aspect: Full sun — essential for the best flowering and growth
  • Shelter: Plant in a sheltered position, ideally against a south- or west-facing wall for additional warmth
  • Position: Outstanding as a specimen tree, in a large container, or as a focal point on a sunny patio

Planting Guide

Plant in late spring or early summer once the risk of frost has passed.

  1. Choose the sunniest, most sheltered spot available
  2. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and to the same depth
  3. Improve heavy soils with grit and organic matter to ensure good drainage
  4. Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot — do not plant too deep
  5. Water in thoroughly and mulch around the base to retain warmth and moisture
  6. Stake young trees in exposed positions for the first season

Watering

  • First season: Water regularly during dry periods to support establishment
  • Established plants: Water during prolonged dry spells in summer; reduce watering as autumn approaches
  • Key point: Good drainage is essential — Coral Tree will not tolerate waterlogged soil

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring as new growth emerges. A potassium-rich feed (such as tomato fertiliser) in mid-summer can help promote flowering. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages leafy growth at the expense of blooms.

Pruning

  • When: Spring only — once you can see new growth emerging from the base or stems
  • What: Cut back any frost-damaged or dead stems to healthy growth
  • Shape: The Coral Tree naturally dies back in winter and re-shoots vigorously in spring — this is completely normal
  • Avoid: Pruning in autumn or winter, which can expose the plant to frost damage

Winter Care

Winter protection is the key to success with Coral Tree in the UK:

  • Mulch heavily: Apply a thick layer (10–15cm) of bark mulch or straw around the base in autumn to insulate the roots
  • Fleece protection: Wrap the stems loosely in horticultural fleece during hard frosts
  • Container growing: Move pot-grown specimens into a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory over winter
  • Don't panic: The plant dies back to the ground in winter but re-shoots strongly from the base in spring — patience is key
  • Colder regions: Plant against a south-facing wall for maximum warmth and shelter

Flowering Tips

  • Flowering typically begins in June and continues through to September
  • A warm, sunny position dramatically improves both the quantity and quality of blooms
  • Established plants flower more freely each year as the root system develops
  • The vivid crimson flowers are highly attractive to bees, birds, and other pollinators

Common Problems

  • Failure to re-shoot in spring: Be patient — Coral Tree can be slow to emerge; wait until late May before assuming the worst
  • Frost damage: Cut back blackened stems to healthy growth in spring; the plant will recover
  • Waterlogging: The most common cause of decline — ensure excellent drainage at planting time
  • Poor flowering: Usually caused by insufficient sun or a cold, wet summer — choose the warmest spot available

Why Grow a Coral Tree?

Few plants deliver the sheer exotic drama of the Coral Tree. The sight of those blazing crimson flower clusters against lush green foliage is genuinely breathtaking — and unlike anything else in a typical UK garden. Hardy enough for most of Britain with simple winter protection, and rewarding enough to become a true garden centrepiece, the Coral Tree is a collector's plant that deserves to be far more widely grown.

Add this spectacular exotic to your garden this season.

Buy Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli) at Akplants →