Red Flowering Trees in Florida

Florida's warm climate and sandy soil makes a perfect habitat for many tropical and Asian varieties of flowering trees. Some of the most eye-catching are the red flowered trees that set Florida landscapes ablaze in vibrant color.

Bottlebrush is a strikingly exotic tropical tree that explodes into bright red blossoms in the spring. Reaching a mature height of approximately 20 feet, the bottlebrush has a wide rounded crown with the classical weeping branch droop. The unusual scarlet flowers are clusters of stamens in 6-inch long cylindrical arrangements that closely resemble old-fashioned bottle brushes. The leaves are about 4 inches long and narrow with pointed tips.

The bottlebrush is native to Australia. It grows well in the strong sun and sandy soil characteristic of South Florida, but can be easily damaged above the frost line. To create the classic shape, it should be trimmed during the early growth stages. Without trimming, it grows a profusion of multiple stalks and more closely resembles a shrub than a tree.

The royal poinciana trees is spectacular in bloom from May through July. Standing 40 feet high and spreading 60 feet wide, its crown smothered in a profusion of brilliant red to dark orange blooms, it commands any landscape. The wide spread of the crown makes the royal poinciana tree a superb shade tree. It needs full sun and plenty of room to grow. The leaves are approximately two inches long and dull green year round, with no change in fall. It bears a hard, podlike fruit that does not attract wildlife. Royal poinciana trees are not native to Florida, but grow well throughout the state and is drought tolerant after maturity.

Florida anise is a small evergreen tree or large shrub with an average height of approximately 10 feet. The dark green leaves have a leathery feel and a shiny finish. When the leaves are crushed they smell like anise or licorice. The deep red flowers are unique and exotic-looking. About two inches in diameter, each flower has 20 to 30 slender petals that curl back in a layered arrangement from a bright yellow center. They have an odd distinct odor reminiscent of a live fish.

Florida anise is most commonly found in the panhandle region of North Florida. It grows best in partial sun, but with care it can grow in full sun. It is on the State of Florida's threatened species list as a protected plant. No part of this plant should be ingested; it is highly toxic.

Crape myrtles come in a variety of colors and are widely used in both professional and home landscaping all over Florida. The tree originated in Southeast Asia in pink, lavender and white varieties. Recently, several red varieties have hit the market due to hybrid breeding techniques. Crape myrtle trees grow to heights of approximately 12 to 15 feet. Trimming is advised during early growth stages to avoid bushing out and keep to one central or a few divided trunks. On a well-pruned crape myrtle, the branches shoot almost straight up with brilliant flowers covering each branch, giving the appearance of gladiola-like flowers swaying in the air from a central trunk. Due to the short stature of the tree and the thin, flexible branches, the crape myrtle can be planted in flower beds next to a house without fear of roof damage.

Red crape myrtle flowers are dramatic, with brilliant ruffled layers surrounding a bright yellow center, clustered tightly on long twigs. Leaves vary with the variety and may be rounded or spear-shaped and a variety of colors ranging from dark green to reddish.