01 Mar Tropical Trees
We were lucky to take a couple of weeks annual leave on the Sunshine Coast recently. It is very sad to see the flooding of this area in recent days and I hope this beautiful area makes a full recovery soon. Whilst away, as always I was drawn to the plants of a new area. Like many gardeners I love checking out the streetscapes, parks and garden plantings in a new climate. I thought for many of my more coastal subscribers or those that at least have frost free gardens, they would be able to grow some of these gorgeous tropical trees. The top five plants I’ve chosen to feature in this month’s newsletter are;
Poinciana (Delonix regia)
This tree is used a lot as a street tree in warmer climates. It is a native to Madagascar and can potentially grow up to 10 metres in height. However it is normally seen growing up to about 5 – 6 metres in height. It has a broad spreading layered habit with a flat top that can reach up to 10 metres in width. The gorgeous red orange flowers normally start in December. They are semi deciduous with their old leaves falling in spring however they may drop more of their foliage in cooler weather. They prefer a well draining soil.
Leopard Tree (Libidibia ferrea formerly Caesalpinia ferrea)
In the same family as the Poinciana is this lovely upright tree with a spreading rounded crown It is a tree that I think ticks almost every box – interesting bark, foliage contrast and flowers. Its bark is reminiscence of a leopard’s skin. The trunk is mottled in colour with a variety of colour from silvers, greys, white, creams and brown. Its canopy gets smothered by panicles of tiny yellow flowers through the warmer months. It tends to drop its foliage in the early spring or in cooler weather. When it does re shoot the foliage is a gorgeous coppery bronze colour. It is a large tree that normally reaches about 12 metres for suburban plantings, however it can reach 20 metres in height in its native habitat of Brazil and Bolivia. It will spread up to 8 metres in width
Evergreen Frangipani/ Singapore Frangipani (Plumeria obtusa)
These Frangipanis have larger and more glossy green leaves compared to the commonly found frangipani (Plumeria acutifolia). They are only completely evergreen in the very hot tropics. They have large fragrant white flowers with soft yellow centres through the warmer months. Growing to approximately 5 – 7 metres in height and width they form a beautiful small tree with a rounded canopy.
Tibouchina “Alstonville” Another native of Brazil, there are many different types of Tibouchinas, dare I say one to suit every warmer climate garden. The most commonly seen species on the Sunshine coast was the “Alstonville” cultivar which will grow to 6 metres in width and height. They are smothered with deep purple flowers through the late Summer and into early Autumn months. This small evergreen tree develops a round canopy with dark green leaves. It prefers well drained soil.
Pandanus Palm/ Screw Palm (Pandanus tectorius)
Often called a Palm, these Pandanus are not even related to Palms. They are a native of Asia Pacific Islands and north of Port Macquarie on the east coast Australia. Their architectural forms make them beautiful feature plants. They have strappy silvery green leaves up top that open in a twisty or “screw” like pattern. Their trunks are quite often formed by aerial roots that become prop roots. They will grow to approximately 5 – 6 metres in height. The female plants produce large pineapple-like fruits that are edible.
