Sesbania punicea

The Sesbania punicea is a wonderful exotic bush known as the Purple Sesban or Scarlet Wisteria. This beautiful species, related to brooms, is not widely planted despite its many qualities: it offers spectacular orange flowering in summer, very rapid growth, and is easy to grow in mild climates, including in dry soil. Floriferous and highly ornamental, this small flamboyant tree can be used in beds, as a standalone shrub, hedge, or even in a container to overwinter in cold and wet areas in winter.

 The purple sesbania is native to a wide subtropical climate zone ranging from Brazil to Argentina, passing through Uruguay and Paraguay. In nature, this plant covers wet areas not far from swamps and watercourses that may dry up for several weeks. In certain regions, such as the southern United States, Australia, or South Africa, with a hot and irrigated climate, it is considered an invasive species. Under our latitudes, however, the Sesbania punicea does not currently benefit from favourable conditions for uncontrolled expansion and instead constitutes a beautiful ornamental bush which can be cultivated in the open ground. 

The Sesbania punicea forms a small tree with a spreading crown, like a parasol, supported by flexible branches. It grows rapidly, reaching its adult size within 2 to 3 years. If frost damages it, it can regenerate entirely from the base within a season. Plants grown from seeds often bloom in the first year. The lifespan of this plant is at most 5 to 8 years. At maturity, this shrub measures about 2.50 m (8ft) in height and 1.50 m (5ft) in width. It does not exceed 1.50 m (5ft) in height if grown in a container. The young branches bear leaves divided into 6 to 20 pairs of ovate to rounded leaflets, initially light green, gradually darkening. They are quite thick and slightly hairy. The foliage falls in autumn, as soon as the temperature drops below 0°C (32°F), and the stems are destroyed by the cold from -3°C (26.6°F). The leaves tend to fold in on themselves in the evening. Flowering occurs in summer, in June-July, more or less early, depending on the climate. If faded clusters are regularly removed, flowering can last until September, which also helps to increase the lifespan of the bush. The flowers open in pendulous clusters at the ends of the current year's branches. They are butterfly-shaped, 2 to 2.5 cm (1in) long, and a beautiful orange with a hint of red, a bright colour that is not harsh on the eyes. After pollination, these pea-like flowers give way to elongated pods with four winged angles, turning green to brown. They contain brown and shiny seeds covered with tough and impermeable skin that allows them to float on water: in nature, seeds are dispersed through water. It is not uncommon for Sesbania to self-seed in light soil. The base of an established Sesbania punicea can withstand brief frosts of around -6 to -8°C, but young plants are more sensitive to cold. Note that the plant contains toxic substances, especially its seeds.

 Like all shrubs in the Fabaceae family, the Purple Sesban is an excellent choice for gardens with poor soil, and its dazzling summer flowering makes it one of the most beautiful shrubs in the dry garden. It is magnificent when planted in beds with Caesalpinia gillesii, tall red hot pokers, or a tree-trained Madame Galen trumpet vine. It can also be paired with blue-lavender-flowering Amorpha canescens, Femontodendron California Glory, or Cape leadwort. It can also be grown as a flowering hedge with evergreen ceanothus, Vitex, myrtles, and escallonias. When planted in a large pot, It will bring a beautiful, exotic touch to the terrace. This cultivation method allows it to be protected from the cold in winter and adopted anywhere!