Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana

$620.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 100L

100L 200L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: 2m – 2.3m Approx.
200L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m to 12m

Mature Width: 10m to 15m

Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (fast).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana

Delonix regia, the Flame Tree or Poinciana, is a broad deciduous tree with a low spreading umbrella crown and fine, fern-like foliage. Through late spring and summer it carries dense heads of scarlet to orange-red flowers across the whole canopy. Long woody seed pods follow and hang on well after the leaves drop.

It wants full sun, free-draining soil and a frost-free position, which puts it in tropical, subtropical and warm coastal areas from Sydney north. Growth is fast at 50 to 100 centimetres a year. Once established it handles dry spells and salt-laden wind, and needs little beyond formative pruning for clearance.

Give it room. This is a tree for large lawns, parks, civic plantings and resort landscapes where a canopy of 10 to 15 metres across can spread without conflict. Plant 3 to 4 metres apart as a feature group, or 3 metres apart down an avenue. Few trees deliver shade and colour on this scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Poinciana

What is Delonix regia?

Delonix regia is a deciduous flowering tree in the pea family, native to Madagascar and grown across the tropics for its flowers. It forms a short trunk and a wide, flat-topped canopy of ferny bipinnate leaves, and in summer that canopy fills with scarlet to orange-red blooms. Australians know it as the Poinciana or Flame Tree.

How big does a Poinciana grow?

In the ground with room to spread it reaches 8 to 12 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide, and the width is the figure that matters. The canopy finishes broader than the tree is high, so allow at least 10 metres of clear space in any direction before planting near buildings or paving.

How fast does it grow?

Fast. Expect 50 to 100 centimetres of height a year while the tree is young, with the spread building quickly once the leader has topped out. Growth is quickest in warm frost-free areas with summer rain, and slows noticeably in cooler or drier positions. Planting an advanced specimen shortens the wait considerably.

When does the Poinciana flower?

Flowering runs from late spring into mid summer, roughly November to January in most of eastern Australia, and can start earlier in tropical Queensland. Trees usually flower while in full leaf, so the red sits against green rather than bare wood. Young trees often take a few seasons in the ground before they bloom properly.

Is it frost tolerant?

No. Delonix regia cannot survive frost and should not be planted in frost-prone areas. It belongs in tropical, subtropical and frost-free coastal gardens. In marginal spots a warm north-facing position with overhead protection and shelter from cold wind gives a young tree the best chance, but a hard frost will kill new growth outright.

Does it have invasive roots?

Yes, the surface roots are vigorous and can lift paving, so keep it well clear of driveways, paths, pools and service lines. As a working guide, plant no closer than 6 to 8 metres to any hard structure. In open lawn or park ground where the roots can run freely it causes no trouble at all.

How do I care for a Flame Tree?

Water deeply through the first two summers, then it largely looks after itself. Mulch out to the drip line, keeping it off the trunk, and feed once in early spring with a complete fertiliser. Prune only in late winter to lift the canopy or take out crossing limbs, since the wood is brittle and heavy cuts spoil the form.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana works in an:

Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.
Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.

Is Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana Evergreen or Deciduous?

Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m to 12m

Mature Width: 10m to 15m

Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (fast).

Growth Rate of Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana

Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (fast).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana

Is Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana frost tolerant?

Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana is Not Frost Tolerant – Cannot survive frost, should be avoided in frost-prone areas.

Does Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana Flower?

Delonix regia produces spectacular clusters of fiery red to orange-red flowers in late spring and summer. The large, orchid-like blooms cover the canopy in a brilliant display, creating one of the most dramatic flowering scenes of any tropical or subtropical tree.

Does Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Clustered
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

Red

Is Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana an Australian Native Tree?

No

Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana is Native to Madagascar, where it grows in tropical dry forests and along rocky hillsides.

What is the Wildlife Value of Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana ?

Its nectar-rich summer blooms attract bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, while the broad, umbrella-shaped canopy provides excellent shade and shelter for small birds. The long seed pods also support insects and seed-eating wildlife, contributing to a biodiverse tropical-style garden ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana need?

Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Delonix regia performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless significantly improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support healthy canopy development and its signature vibrant flowering.

Is Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana Drought Tolerant?

Is Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Delonix regia develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best with deep, occasional watering during extended dry periods, particularly in hot inland areas, to maintain leaf health and support strong flowering.

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How To Plant Your Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (fast).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Delonix regia – Flame Tree / Poinciana in Different Soil

Delonix regia performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.