Bidwill's Coral Tree
Erythrina x bidwillii
Pickup available at Aiken Nursery
Usually ready in 2-4 days
Erythrina × bidwillii is one of the great show-stoppers among the coral beans, a bold hybrid between the Argentine cockspur coral tree, Erythrina crista-galli, and the southeastern native coral bean, Erythrina herbacea. From that crossing comes a plant with the size and drama of the South American parent and the toughness of the North American one, throwing long spikes of vivid, tubular scarlet flowers through the summer, far larger and more sustained than either parent alone.
Where winters are mild the plant makes a large, spreading, thorny shrub; in zone 8 and colder the top is killed by frost and the plant returns each year from a big, woody rootstock, behaving as a fast, dramatic perennial. Given rich soil and ample water, the summer growth is vigorous and the flowering generous, spike after spike of glowing red held above the foliage on new wood. This hybrid is sterile and sets no seed, so the plant channels every bit of energy into bloom and spreads only by the gardener's hand.
Few plants pull a hummingbird garden together like a well-grown bidwillii coral tree. Set the plant as a summer focal point at the back of a sunny border, in a tropical-style bed with cannas, gingers, and salvias, or as a bold specimen where the scarlet spikes can blaze against green. Hummingbirds and large bees work the flowers all season. The stems carry scattered thorns, so give the plant room away from paths, and, as with all coral trees, treat the plant tissues as toxic if eaten.
Culture is simple in the heat. Give Erythrina × bidwillii full sun, rich well-drained soil, and generous summer water, and the plant will thrive through the hottest months. For overwintering in zone 8 and below, cut the plant back after frost kills the tops, mound about ten inches of coarse sand over the stubs, and cover with pine straw; as the weather warms, pull the covering away to let new shoots rise. Now becoming more widely available, this striking hybrid seemed all but unknown in the South when Woodlanders first obtained the plant from California.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–10
- Sun
- Full Sun
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 5–6 Feet · Spread 5–6 Feet
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Seasonality
- Dies back, depends on zone
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.