Brazilian Red Cloak
Dramatic red bloom panels on a big, bold shrub. A statement plant for a warm corner.
Big tropical shrub topped with dramatic deep-red flower bracts.
Why it works here
When you want a big splash of red in a partly shaded spot, this is a showstopper. The color comes from long-lasting red bracts (modified leaves around the small flowers) that hold for weeks, mostly in the warm and rainy months. It gets large and lush, so it fills a corner or a back-of-bed spot fast. In Stuart it works as a warm-season centerpiece, with the honest understanding that hard cold sets it back.
Care
Give it rich soil with plenty of compost worked in, since it likes more moisture and organic matter than a typical dry-sand plant. Water regularly, especially in dry spells, to keep it lush. Feed with compost and a balanced organic fertilizer through the warm season. Mulch generously to hold moisture. Prune after flowering and again in early spring to control its size and keep it full, and cut back any cold damage once warm weather returns.
Common problems
Cold is the main caveat: a hard freeze burns it back and can knock it to the ground, though an established plant usually resprouts from the roots in spring, so site it in a warm, protected spot. In too much sun or too little water the big leaves wilt and scorch, so give it filtered light and steady moisture. It is otherwise fairly pest-free; watch for the usual mealybugs or scale on stressed plants and treat with an organically listed horticultural oil.
Common questions
How much sun does it want?
Part shade to filtered sun suits it best. Morning sun with afternoon shade keeps the leaves from scorching, while deep shade cuts down the flowering. Think bright but protected.
Will it survive our winter?
On the Treasure Coast, usually yes, but it is tender. A hard freeze can cut it to the ground, and an established plant normally comes back from the roots in spring. Plant it in a warm, sheltered spot to reduce the risk.
How big does it really get?
It can reach 8 to 12 feet if it is happy, so give it room. If that is too much for your space, keep it pruned as a large shrub rather than letting it stretch out.
Interested in a brazilian red cloak in your landscape?
We plan, install, and care for it. Start with a paid consultation.