Product
Gulmohar
Common Name: Gulmohar, Flame Tree, Royal Poinciana, Peacock Flower Tree Botanical Name: Delonix regia Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Plant Type: Deciduous ornamental flowering tree Origin: Madagascar
- SKU: PLANT4589
- CATEGORY: Ornamental trees
- TAGs: Air Purifying , Low Maintenance
Plant Description
Gulmohar (Delonix regia) is one of the most spectacular ornamental flowering trees in the world, admired for its brilliant scarlet-red to orange-red flowers and broad umbrella-shaped canopy. It is widely planted along roadsides, parks, gardens, educational institutions, and public landscapes for its striking seasonal display and excellent shade.
During the flowering season, the tree is almost completely covered with vibrant blossoms, creating a stunning visual effect. Its fern-like leaves and wide-spreading branches make it one of the most beautiful shade trees for tropical and subtropical regions.
Plant Characteristics
- Height: 8–15 meters
- Spread: 10–18 meters
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Plant Habit: Broad, umbrella-shaped canopy
- Lifespan: Perennial
- Evergreen: Deciduous or semi-deciduous depending on climate
Leaves
- Bright green, finely divided, fern-like leaves.
- Bipinnate compound leaves with numerous small leaflets.
- Provides dense, cooling shade during summer.
Flowers
- Large, showy flowers arranged in clusters.
- Bright scarlet-red, orange-red, or crimson petals.
- One petal often has white or yellow markings.
- Blooms profusely, covering the canopy with vibrant flowers.
Flowering Season
- Late Spring
- Summer (April–June in most parts of India)
- Flowering may continue into early monsoon in warm regions.
Fruits
- Produces long, flat, woody seed pods.
- Pod length: 30–60 cm.
- Pods turn dark brown or black when mature and contain numerous hard seeds.
Uses
Ornamental Uses
- Avenue planting
- Parks
- Gardens
- School and college campuses
- Residential landscapes
- Large lawns
Wood Uses
- Wood is lightweight and sometimes used for small handicrafts, fuel, and rural applications, though it is not considered premium timber.
Common Pests and Diseases
Pests
- Aphids
- Caterpillars
- Mealybugs
- Scale insects
Diseases
- Root rot
- Leaf spot
- Powdery mildew
- Fungal wilt (occasionally)
Healthy growing conditions and good drainage minimize most problems.
Landscape Value
Gulmohar is considered one of the finest flowering avenue trees due to its spectacular canopy of brilliant flowers and broad shade. It is ideal for roadsides, parks, institutional campuses, large residential gardens, and public landscapes where space allows its wide crown to develop fully.
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
- Requires full sunlight.
- Needs 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant flowering.
Temperature
- Ideal: 20°C–38°C
- Thrives in hot tropical and subtropical climates.
- Sensitive to frost and prolonged cold weather.
Soil
- Well-drained sandy, loamy, or slightly clayey soil.
- Tolerates poor soils if drainage is good.
- Soil pH: 6.0–7.8
Watering
- Water regularly during the establishment period.
- Mature trees are drought tolerant.
- Avoid prolonged waterlogging.
Fertilizer
- Apply well-rotted compost once or twice a year.
- Use a balanced NPK (10:10:10 or 19:19:19) fertilizer during the growing season to promote healthy growth and flowering.
Propagation
Gulmohar can be propagated by:
- Seeds (most common)
- Stem cuttings (less common)
- Grafting (occasionally for selected varieties)
Seeds should be scarified or soaked in warm water for 24 hours before sowing to improve germination.
Pruning
- Prune young trees to develop a strong branch structure.
- Remove dead, weak, or crossing branches.
- Mature trees require only occasional maintenance pruning.
Maintenance Tips
- Plant in a spacious, sunny location.
- Water young trees regularly until established.
- Fertilize annually with compost and balanced fertilizer.
- Prune only when necessary to maintain a healthy canopy.
- Avoid planting too close to buildings, as the canopy spreads widely.