Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
Date:
The Magic of 3
top tropical trees
from the legends of Caribbean
Yellow Poinciana, Jacaranda, and Royal Poinciana:
Three happy colors of the Tropics
While traveling through the vibrant and diverse Caribbean, we acquired three exquisite local paintings. Two of these are masterfully rendered on jacaranda wood plates, and the third is beautifully crafted on a calabash. These stunning pieces of art celebrate the three most spectacular and revered flowering trees of the Tropics: Yellow Poinciana, Jacaranda, and Royal Poinciana.
These trees are not only visually stunning but also deeply embedded in Caribbean culture, legends, and folk remedies.
The Yellow
Poinciana, with its bright golden blossoms, is often associated with joy and
sunlight, symbolizing the warmth of the Caribbean spirit.
The Jacaranda,
known for its striking lavender-blue flowers, is a symbol of wisdom and
rebirth, often blooming in a breathtaking display that signals the change of
seasons.
The Royal
Poinciana, with its fiery red and orange flowers, is a symbol of passion and
energy, often referred to as the "Flamboyant" tree due to its bold and dramatic
appearance.
These trees hold a special place in the hearts of the Caribbean people. They are featured in numerous local stories and songs, and their flowers and leaves are used in traditional remedies and rituals. Owning these paintings feels like possessing a piece of the Caribbean's soul and its natural beauty.
Now, we are fortunate to have not only the paintings but also the actual trees. Watching them grow and bloom in our garden brings a piece of the Caribbean to our home, a constant reminder of our travels and the vibrant culture we experienced. These trees and their representations in art are a testament to the region's rich heritage and its enduring connection to nature.
Get them now while we have them. No need to go too far into Caribbean!
Peltophorum africanum - Golden Flamboyant, Yellow Poinciana. An excellent garden shade tree, beautiful in flower. This variety starts flowering at young age, in 3 gal pot.
Jacaranda mimosifolia - Hypnotizing bluish-purple, trumpet-like flowers create the magical image of the tree. Incredible, long-lasting purple blooms. When the trumpet-shaped blooms finally fall, they form a lilac carpet beneath the awe-inspiring Jacaranda for luxuriant curb appeal...
Royal poinciana, Flamboyant tree, Delonix regia - "One of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Date:
New video: Royal Poinciana
The most beautiful tropical shade tree
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees
in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is
like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry
M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
One of the most conspicuous flowering trees seen in the tropics, Royal poinciana (Delonix regia) has bright fiery red/orange
blossoms cover its mimosa type leaves which close up and go to sleep for the
night.
This large tree, which naturally assumes a spreading umbrella shape, is now
found in gardens, parks, and planted along streets throughout the tropics.
In late spring, as the new leaves appear, the tree is covered with masses of
five-petalled red flowers resembling orchid flowers. Blooming is followed by
long, flattened, leathery dark brown or black seed pods. Delonix requires full
sun and adequate space to take its characteristic form....
Read Article about this tree.
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Three top tropical trees - from the legends of Caribbean
Yellow Poinciana, Jacaranda, and Royal Poinciana paintings
Yellow Poinciana
Jacaranda
Royal Poinciana
While traveling through the vibrant and diverse Caribbean, we acquired three exquisite local paintings rendered on jacaranda wood plates and a calabash. These pieces of art celebrate the three most spectacular and revered flowering trees of the Tropics:
- Yellow Poinciana, with its bright golden blossoms, associated with joy and sunlight, symbolizing the warmth of the Caribbean spirit💛
- Jacaranda, known for its striking lavender-blue flowers, is a symbol of wisdom and rebirth, blooming in a breathtaking display that signals the change of seasons 💜
- Royal Poinciana, that we mentioned earlier, with its fiery red and orange flowers, is a symbol of passion and energy, referred to as the "Flamboyant" tree due to its bold and dramatic appearance ♥️
Get them now while we have them. No need to go too far into Caribbean!
🛒 Shop flowering trees
#Nature_Wonders
🏵 TopTropicals
Everyone wants this showy Butterfly Attractor! Dwarf
Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, with Monarch Butterfly
Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, Red
Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, Yello
- 🟥 Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, that we mentioned earlier, is probably number 1 flowering plant that everybody wants in their garden.
- 🟥 Pride of Barbados, Dwarf Poinciana, Peacock flower, Flower Fence - common names speak for themselves.
- 🟥 National flower of Barbados.
- 🟥 Comes in different colors - red, yellow, pink, orange...
- 🟥 Eye-stopper! Showy flowers almost year round.
- 🟥 Butterfly magnet
🛒 Shop Dwarf Poinciana
#Hedges_with_benefits #Butterfly_Plants
🏵 TopTropicals
Date:
Plants like to snack!
How to feed Poinciana tree
(and other tropical flowering trees)
Q: We purchased a Royal Poinciana tree from TopTropicals not too long ago and we gradually gave it more sun until finally we were able to plant it in direct sunlight where it's been for a week or so. Rain has been sporadic lately so I'm giving it a little bit of water every day. It seems to be doing fine. I do have a question about whether the leaves are as green as they should be? I read online that I should fertilize it with gardenia / ixoria fertilizer in March, June, and October. I looked on homedepot.com but didn't really find anything that goes by that name. Would fertilizer help? Can you suggest a fertilizer?
A: Your Poinciana tree looks pretty healthy and happy,
congratulations with a great job!
Traditional (old-school) fertilizer recommendations usually suggest feeding
a plant 2-3 times a year with a slow-release fertilizer. And although a
plant will benefit from any fertilizer application (extra food is always good),
however, for the best results, faster growth, sooner and more profuse
blooming, your should use complete plant nutrition products - liquid fertilizers (see
why liquid
fertilizers are better than dry).
Here is an example. Some people eat a big heavy meal once a day which we
all know, is not very healthy. Other people eat balanced food more frequently
but in smaller portions - this is always the best way to go.
From this point, plants prefer SNACKING - frequent feeding, but with less
concentrated, mild and balanced nutrients.
For your beautiful Poinciana tree (and other flowering plants), we suggest
the following nutrition program:
1) SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster - you may use this fertilizer as frequent as with every watering, it won't burn the roots, and will provide a complete nutrition for all plant needs throughout the year. You can continue fertilizing with Megaflor even during winter time. Sunshine Megaflor will help you to keep the plant healthy, vigorous, and resistant to stress and diseases. It turns leaves green and makes the plant strong so it will start flowering sooner for you.
2) Tropical Allure - Smart-Release Booster. Apply it once a month during hot season only (in Florida - from March to November).
Why Poinciana is super popular tropical flowering tree
Peltophorum - Golden Flamboyant, Yellow Poinciana
Peltophorum - Golden Flamboyant, Yellow Poinciana
Peltophorum - Golden Flamboyant, Yellow Poinciana
- 🟡 Peltophorum - Golden Flamboyant, Yellow Poinciana, in one of the most popular flowering trees of Tropics, along with Delonix and Jacaranda.
- 🟡 Golden Showers: It has bright yellow flowers bloom in clusters, creating a stunning, sunshiny display.
- 🟡 Butterfly Magnet: Attracts butterflies and bees, bringing life and movement to your garden.
- 🟡 Shade Provider: Its wide, spreading canopy offers a cool, shady spot to relax under.
- 🟡 Easy Maintenance: Low-maintenance and hardy, making it perfect for those who want beauty without the hassle.
- 🟡 Tropical Vibe: Adds a lush, tropical feel to any garden, making you feel like you're on a permanent vacation.
- 🟡 Fast Grower: Quick to grow, so you don’t have to wait long to enjoy its full beauty.
- 🟡 Elegant Foliage: Delicate, fern-like leaves add an elegant touch and sway gracefully in the breeze.
- 🟡 Long Blooming Season: Enjoy its gorgeous flowers for an extended period, adding color and joy to your garden.
📚 Three top tropical trees - from the legends of Caribbean
🛒 Order online
#Trees #Butterfly_Plants
🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals
What is the most spectacular flowering shrub?
Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, or Bird of Paradise
Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, or Bird of Paradise
Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, or Bird of Paradise
Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, or Bird of Paradise
🔥 Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, or Bird of Paradise - is one of the most beautiful flowering shrubs. It is a low-maintenance yet visually striking plant to enhance outdoor spaces.
- ♦️ Prized for its stunning, vibrant flowers that resemble miniature versions of tropical flamboyant blooms.
- ♦️ Compact size
- ♦️ Easy to care of
- ♦️ Prolific blooming period
- ♦️ Resilience to heat and drought
- ♦️ Red, Yellow, and Pink flowering varieties available.
🛒 Get your own Dwarf Poinciana
#Butterfly_Plants #Hedges_with_benefits
🏵 @TopTropicals
Date:
⭐ The Winter Stars: 8 Flowering Trees That Steal the Show
8 Best Flowering Trees That Bloom in Winter: Royal Poinciana with red-orange canopy, Dwarf Pink Tabebuia, Dwarf Golden Tabebuia, Pink Butterfly Orchid Tree, Golden Rain Tree, Weeping Red Bottlebrush, Hong Kong Orchid Tree, and Jacaranda with purple flowers.
Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia)
The diva of tropical trees. Huge red-orange flowers blanket the branches
from late winter through summer. If you’ve ever seen one in full
bloom, you know — it stops traffic.
Best in large yards or open spaces, but young ones do great in big pots for
a few years.
🛒 Shop
Tatiana: “If you want a tree that makes
people
say ‘wow,’ this is it.”
Tabebuia chrysotricha – Dwarf Golden Tabebuia
Small tree, big drama. It turns solid gold just before new leaves appear. Blooms while completely bare — a stunning contrast of yellow on brown wood. Perfect for patios, courtyards, and containers. Handles cool nights down to the mid-20s F. Bright, cheerful, and forgiving — the kind of tree that always looks like it’s celebrating. 🛒 Shop
Tabebuia impetiginosa – Dwarf Pink Tabebuia (Pau D’Arco)
The Florida “cherry blossom.” Pink-lavender flowers smother the branches each winter, often before any leaves return. Thrives in sandy soil, tolerates drought, and grows beautifully in large planters or pots indoors near a sunny window. Ideal for seasonal residents or anyone who wants color when everything else is asleep. 🛒 Shop
Jacaranda mimosifolia
If color had music, this would be jazz. Soft, fern-like leaves and cascades of violet-blue trumpet flowers — airy, elegant, unforgettable. Outdoors, it makes a graceful shade tree; in containers, it stays compact with regular pruning. Jacarandas reward patience — they bloom bigger each year. 🛒 Shop
Koelreuteria paniculata – Golden Rain Tree
A favorite for its surprises — golden blooms in summer, pink paper lantern pods in fall, and bronze leaves before rest. Fast-growing, tough, and easy. Loves full sun and moderate water. Great for open lawns or patio tubs. The kind of tree that gives you something new to look at every month. 🛒 Shop
Callistemon citrinus – Bottlebrush Tree
The hummingbird magnet.
Bright red, brush-shaped flowers bloom several times a year —
sometimes even in cool weather.
The dwarf form, ‘Little John,’ stays about 4 feet tall, perfect
for pots or small borders.
Trim lightly after flowering to keep it compact and colorful. 🛒
Shop
Tatiana: “If you’ve never grown a
tropical tree before — start here. It’s the friendliest
one.”
Bauhinia variegata – Pink Butterfly Tree
Graceful, fragrant, and forgiving. Its pink-lavender orchid-like flowers open from late winter through spring, filling the garden with color and pollinators. It’s fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and excellent for both ground and pots. Even the buds are edible — a fun bonus for adventurous gardeners. 🛒 Shop
Bauhinia blakeana – Hong Kong Orchid Tree
The queen of them all.
Huge magenta-purple blooms that last for months, from fall through spring.
Fragrant, clean (no messy seed pods), and perfect for patios or large
decorative containers.
Give it sun, a little water, and it will reward you with bloom after bloom.
🛒 Shop
Tatiana: “It’s the one tree that never lets winter
win.”
A note on grafted Hong Kong Orchid Trees: Most Hong Kong Orchid Trees are grafted, and that’s actually a big advantage. Because they don’t grow from seed, grafted plants mature faster and begin blooming while still small — sometimes within the first year. That makes them perfect for patio pots or small gardens where space is limited.
Bringing the Tropics Home
Whether your garden faces the Gulf or your window faces the snow, these trees let you live in color year-round. Plant them outdoors in warm zones or grow them in pots indoors — they adapt, they bloom, they brighten every corner.
Gardening isn’t about waiting for spring — it’s about finding joy in every season. And when a tree blooms in January, that joy feels twice as sweet.
🛒 Shop Winter Flowering Plants
✍️ Winter Bloomer Q&A
Q: Can these trees really bloom indoors?
Yes! Smaller species like Bottlebrush ‘Little John,’ Dwarf Tabebuias, and many Bauhinias bloom beautifully in pots with bright light or grow lamps.
Q: Do they lose their leaves in winter?
Some, like Tabebuias and Jacarandas, drop leaves right before blooming — it’s normal and part of their charm. Others, like Bottlebrush, stay evergreen.
Q: What fertilizer works best?
We use Sunshine Boosters — gentle, balanced, and perfect for tropicals. Feed every 2–3 weeks during active growth.
Q: How do I know when to water?
Touch the soil! If it’s dry an inch or two down, water deeply. Overwatering is the main mistake with tropicals.
Q: Can they handle frost?
A quick dip into the upper 20s F is fine for most mature trees. Cover young ones or move containers under shelter if colder.
Q: Which are best for beginners?
Start with Bottlebrush ‘Little John’ or Golden Tabebuia — compact, colorful, and nearly foolproof.
Q: When will they bloom?
Usually within few years if they get enough sun and warmth. Grafted plants blooms much sooner
Q: Which of these trees are best for pot growing?
For patios, balconies, or indoor sunrooms, choose the compact or grafted types:
- Tabebuia chrysotricha, Dwarf Golden Tabebuia, bright and easy.
- Tabebuia impetiginosa, Dwarf Pink Tabebuia, hardy and long-blooming.
- Callistemon ‘Little John’ – stays neat and flowers all year.
- Grafted Bauhinia blakeana – blooms while young, perfect for pots.
🎥 Watch videos of Dwarf trees in bloom:
The Most Stunning Tree in the World
- 🔥 Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia), also known as the Flamboyant Tree, is one of the most popular tropical trees.
- 🔥 Stunning Blooms: Covered in bright red, orchid-like flowers, it dazzles from late winter to early summer.
- 🔥 Showstopper: Considered one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA and globally admired, often ranked among the top 10 most beautiful trees.
- 🔥 Garden Majesty: With its branches spreading 30-40 ft wide, it requires plenty of space to show off its full grandeur.
- 🔥 A Must-Have for any tropical garden looking for a centerpiece of unmatched beauty.
📚 More from previous posts:
- · Three top tropical trees - from the legends of Caribbean
- · One of the top 10 most impressive trees on the planet
🎥 Watch the video in the next post 👇
🛒 Plant your own Royal Poinciana
#Trees
🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Date:
🔥 Featured: 7-Gal Royal Poinciana
Bigger Tree, Bolder Start
Our 7-gal Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia) is the real deal. Carefully trimmed for strong branching, and ready to burst with tropical growth. Unlike smaller 3-gal plants, this tree already has a well-developed root system, woody trunk, and structural shape. It's ready to anchor your landscape or patio with presence.
While we trim it for safe shipping, this does not set the tree back — in fact, it encourages new lateral growth and canopy development. You’ll see fast recovery and faster flowering in the seasons ahead.
This tree is perfect for:
- Creating instant tropical curb appeal
- Adding shade and structure in a small space
- Getting a head start on future blooms — it matures faster than small plants
Even if you're not in Florida, this 7-gal size brings the bold look of the Tropics — and yes, we'll ship it to you!
Order Royal Poinciana













