Brownea coccinea subsp. capitella, commonly known as rose of Venezuela or scarlet flame bean, is a striking evergreen shrub to small tree native to the tropical regions of Venezuela, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and northern Brazil. In frost-free zones 10 to 12, it grows 15 to 25 feet tall with a spreading canopy reaching 12 to 15 feet wide, producing showy seasonal flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant's most enchanting feature emerges when new foliage unfurls in soft pink to brown tones before hardening into rich green; this visual drama repeats throughout the growing season, offering ornamental interest long before the flowers appear.
Partial Sun
Moderate
10-12
300in H x 180in W
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Moderate
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Young leaves emerge in delicate shades of pink and brown, hanging limp and graceful before stiffening into mature green foliage. This evergreen tropical tree produces showy seasonal blooms that draw hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Growing 15 to 25 feet tall in cultivation with a wide, spreading form, it thrives in full sun to partial shade across hardiness zones 10 to 12, requiring only moderate water and minimal maintenance once established.
This ornamental tree is grown primarily as a flowering specimen in tropical and subtropical gardens, valued for its dramatic seasonal blooms and colorful emerging foliage. It functions as a focal point in landscape design, particularly in frost-free zones where it can mature to its full size, and serves as a hummingbird and butterfly attractor in gardens designed to support pollinators.
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“This subspecies originates from the wooded valleys and low elevation forests of northern South America, where it evolved as part of the rich tropical understory. Indigenous to Venezuela, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and northern Brazil, Brownea coccinea subsp. capitella has long held cultural significance in these regions before being introduced to cultivation in tropical and subtropical gardens worldwide. Its journey from rainforest specimen to cultivated ornamental reflects the growing appreciation for tropical flowering trees in regions where frost-free conditions permit year-round growth.”