Spotted here and there in our urban landscape is a large tree that is blooming right now. This is a huge tree often covered with a blanket of yellow flowers from May through September and accompanied by red, eye-catching seed pods. What is this large flowering tree that you have probably already seen? It is the Yellow Poinciana!
The yellow Poinciana (aka copper-pod) is not a true Poinciana and has also been called the yellow flame tree. This ornamental tree, with a vase-shape to an almost rounded, spreading canopy, provides both flowers and shade. Growing up to fifty-feet tall with a similar spread, the yellow Poinciana produces feathery leaves that provide a soothing, dappled shade. You really must have the room for this tree to benefit from its full potential. A large lawn or an open city park will best accommodate this woody plant. Plant the yellow Poinciana in a full-sun site and train the branches with proper pruning to develop a central trunk with four to five good scaffold branches spiraling up the trunk to help make the tree more wind resistant. Keep in mind that the yellow Poinciana has very shallow roots making it more apt to blow over in a hurricane. Also, this tree has large surface roots that could interfere with pavement – plant at least ten feet away to avoid future issues. The yellow Poinciana is fairly fast growing and does best with a warmer climate closer to the coast. It can get damaged by frosts and freezes in cooler areas, but will normally recover very quickly with new leaves. While not salt-tolerant, it is very drought tolerant once established.
Beyond the shade provided by this semi-evergreen tree, the flowers are the real show-stopper of this tropical Southeast Asia native. The inch-wide yellow flowers develop on clustered stalks leaving behind the equally attractive coppery seed pods. The flowers give a fragrance reminiscent of grapes that is also noteworthy.
While this large flowering tree may be a bit big for the typical landscape, perhaps you can enjoy one from afar. You might even spot one in your neighborhood today! For more information on all types of flowering trees, please call our Master Gardener volunteers on the Plant Lifeline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Don't forget to visit our other County Plant Clinics in the area. Please check this link for a complete list of site locations, dates and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.
Resources:
Gilman, E. F. & Watson, D. G. (2014) Peltophorum pterocarpun: Yellow Poinciana. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Christman, S. (2000) Peltophorum pterocarpun. Floridata.com. Tallahassee, FL.
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