Drunken Parrot Tree Seeds

The name Drunken Parrot Tree comes from the fact that individual flowers contain so much nectar that it has a tendency to ferment before the birds can eat it all, resulting in a mild narcotic effect on the birds.
These tropical trees will start blooming when they are still quite young. The abundance of rich deep red flowers are produced straight after the new leaves during September and October, but exact flowering times will vary from tree to tree. This irregularity in blooming times is of value to the nectar feeding birds, and ensures a longer feeding season. The flowers produce such copious amounts of nectar that it literally 'weeps' from the flowers.
This is an exceptional ornamental tree for gardens and parks and looks wonderful as part of a larger landscape, or planted singly as a specimen tree. Do not plant it near paved areas or car parks etc, where the dripping nectar could become a problem. When in bloom it will attract a wide variety of birds, animals and insects. The nectar will attract nectar-feeding birds like sunbirds, the nectar will also attract many insects, and therefore insect-eating birds.
Easy to grow in warm frost-free areas, where it remains evergreen and grows surprisingly fast. In colder, dry, inland regions it is slower-growing and deciduous, losing its leaves for a short period in winter or spring. It is semi-hardy to moderate frost if it is planted in a protected part of the garden and young trees are covered in winter, until they are more established. An established tree can withstand minimum winter temperatures of about 24 degrees. It is remarkably hardy in dry regions with poor soil, but for best results in the garden, plant in deep very well-drained soil, to which generous quantities of compost has been added and a dressing of bonemeal. A general purpose granular fertiliser can be used during the growing season. It loves in full sun and will respond well to judicious watering in the garden, especially when young, and during prolonged dry periods.