Thanks for IDs! I thought both vilmorniana and attenuata were possibilities. It was not bothered one bit by frost (23F twice this winter (which makes me think it is not attenuata) & it is readily sending up pups, which makes me think it's not vilmorniana. Maybe it's some hybrid agave?? I bought it unlabeled at Lowes.

I used to live in Santa Monica and work at Wilshire and the 405 and traveled along San Vincente Blvd to get to work (circa OJ/Nicole era, passed by Mezzaluna many times not knowing it was there). The length of San Vincente Blvd between Brentwood and the coast in Santa Monica has Coral trees planted in the center median. These are old, mature trees, been there for years. As Hoovb mentions, the trees do not fare well in high winds. Have seen several of these trees crack, split or have limbs come down in high winds. But agreed, they are spectacular while in bloom.

You won a book - it might not be the right book, however. As a WAG, grow it as you would a native plant. Yes, I'd say you need to worry later, not now.

I know of some fantastic Erythrina trees in St. Augustine, FL that are a brilliant orange! The owner is from Argentina and calls them "Ceibo" which he says is the national flower of Argentina. I am not sure but I think his trees are a variant of E. crista-galli, as they look similar to pictures, but this species is usually bright red. His trees (which are more like giant bushes, with several branches) die back to the ground if hit with frost and jump out of the ground again in the spring, getting to 16 ft. most years, and are just dripping with giant clusters of orange blooms. They are even more showy than his Bougainvilla. If there is no frost, they bloom even into January. The tree has formidable-looking thorns and is a very soft wood - he says he has to be careful when mowing the lawn, for several reasons. I agree that seed should probably be germinated immediately - I waited over a year to try germinating mine, and only one of four germinated. I would not germinate until it is VERY warm outdoors if you are outside of FL, S. TX, or S. CA because mine was very wimpy in TN in early spring as a seedling. I ended up being so worried about it that I sent it to FL with a friend to plant at his vacation home. I hope to obtain more seeds and try again with this plant similar to how people raise Brugmansias here in TN. Absoultely a car-stopping sight when in full bloom. -Regina