Combretaceae
Combretum paniculatum
Burning Bush
L
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This vigorous climber or scrambling shrub is known for its spectacular display of vivid scarlet to bright red flowers, which often emerge before the leaves during the dry season. It produces characteristic 4- or 5-winged, samara fruits that are subcircular to elliptic. The leaves are typically chartaceous, up to 18 cm long, and can be glossy dark green and leathery.
Where it works in Kilifi
This robust liane is excellent as a specimen climber for large gardens, cascading vibrant colour over pergolas, walls, or allowed to scramble into large trees. It thrives in full sun to semi-shaded positions and is not ideal for small gardens.
Growing notes
A fast-growing liane, it is fairly drought-resistant once established and tolerates some cold. Regular watering helps young plants establish quickly. Caution: the fruits are known to be poisonous if ingested, causing illness.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: theferns.info, wikipedia.org, ala.org.au, jstor.org, scribd.com, weslorflowers.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.