Family: Fabaceae
Scientific name: Sesbania tripetii
Common name: Red Sesbania
Origin: Southeast South-America

The red sesbania makes spectacular clusters of red flowers, that are followed by hundreds of pods. These pods stay on the plant during winter, and the hard seeds rattle in the wind. The species can start to flower within the first year, and can stay outside till a minimum of -5 degC. Because the plant remains small, it is very suitable to keep as a container plant that can be moved indoors during winter. The seeds are poisonous, and can only be dispersed by water.. They have a hard seed wall that protects the seeds during their travels over rivers and oceans. Nowadays the red wisteria tree also grows in Africa and the US. The species is invasive in warmer areas, and therefore it is advised not to cultivate the plant in (sub)tropical countries. 

Sowing description: Sand the seeds first, to make the seed wall thinner. Soak the seeds for 48 hours in lukewarm water, then sow them in sowing mix. Cover the soil with plastic foil or glass, keep the soil constantly moist, and let the seeds germinate in a warm spot.

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: -5 degrees Celsius