Good choice! You know, if you can keep it watered, it's fine to plant it right now, yes, even in sun. If not, then keeping it in partial shade for a month or even three is just fine. When I plant them in the middle of summer, I'll water them every day for a week, then every other day for a week, then probably two times a week through winter. After their first winter, they get one good, deep soak a week when it's hot. They'll be fine if you plant them, as long as you can keep them watered. If you want to wait, then they'll be fine for quite a few months in partial shade. Tell your wife she made a good choice. :) Let us know what you do and how it works out! Take care, Grant

Hi All, I must have the Red Bird of Paradise. As the wilting flower it had on it had a red look to it. I have it right now in a south window. I grow hoya and violets generally so this bush is a new experience for me. But what I was going to say is that I've got all the hoya outside right now but in a month or so I'll have to bring them in to the plant room. I have lights on in there for 12 hours a day for the violets. Is that going to be enough for the bop???? I can leave it where it is but if there's a chance that it could hurt my grandkids then I'd prefer to move it since they can easily access it where it is now. I repotted it into a mircle grow soil but I'll run and get catus soil for it after work tomorrow. I sure want it to have the soil it requires. Pheitmeyer, I understand what your saying about hating these plants. There are some native plants around here I wish I could kill off for good too!!!! But I think we're use to what we have growing in the different regions we live in and when we venture out of those regions we see and fall in love with the native growth of that region. At least that's what happened to me. I just dearly fell in love with this plant. I do intend to cart it outside after the last frost of each spring around here. All I hope is that I treat it right during the winters. They can be long and harsh in Illinois. I'm planning my next trip to Tucson. This time I'm taking a train!!! I really didn't enjoy the plane ride this time. Hated it infact. But I really want to return and see more sites that I didn't have time for. I'd really like to see the Grand Canyon but my dad says he won't take me. He's been there so often that it's a bore to him!!! One of those region things I guess!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Caesalpinia_pulcherrima.html There is a leaf close up here. You got me thinking, so I searched the internet a bit to see...That might be the vollunteer I have too! Sorry didn't know how to attatch the pic..but it is a good link!

We used to have these in AZ they like lots of heat and somewhat dry soil. They grow like weeds there lol. They are really quite pretty when in full bloom. They are easy to start from seed as well. You nick the edge seed coat (I like to use fingernail clippers for this) and soak it overnight in hand-hot water prior to planting and they will germinate faster. Try the link at the bottom of this post for a place to find seeds. I did have some seeds somewhere but they would be pretty old by now lol. I wonder how long they are good for? Here is a link that might be useful: caesalpinia pulcherrima seed