Silver Trumpet Tree

The Silver Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia aurea, widely sold as Tabebuia argentea) delivers one of the great flowering moments in a warm climate garden: clusters of golden trumpet flowers massed over silvery grey foliage in late winter and early spring. In Australian gardens it settles at about 8m tall and 5m wide, a manageable size for a front yard feature.

Why you'll love it

• A flowering display that stops traffic. The tree drops much of its foliage as the buds open, so the gold reads as a solid canopy rather than flecks among leaves.
• Silver foliage the rest of the year. The rounded, silvery leaves keep the tree handsome between flowerings.
• Non invasive roots. One of the few statement flowering trees you can plant with confidence near driveways and paving.
• Built for heat. Drought, heat and wind tolerant once established, at home from the tropics to dry inland gardens.
• A sensible mature size. Around 8m here rather than the towering sizes quoted overseas, so it suits suburban blocks.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Give it a position with clear air and an audience: a front lawn, a courtyard corner, beside an entry.

Driveways and avenues. The upright habit suits repeated planting along a drive. Allow about 5m between trees so the crowns meet without crowding.

Shade for smaller gardens. The canopy casts light, dappled shade that lawns and underplanting cope with.

Growing the Silver Trumpet Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun brings the heaviest flowering. It thrives in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens and handles arid and semi arid districts with establishment watering. It takes light frost only: in marginal areas give it northern exposure and protect it for its first two or three winters, and in hard frost districts choose another feature tree.

Soil. Any reasonably drained soil suits. It tolerates poor sandy soils better than most flowering trees; on heavy clay, plant on a slight mound.

Water and feed. Water deeply twice a week through the first summer, then taper off. Feed a controlled release fertiliser in early spring for the first few years, then leave it alone.

Pruning. Almost none required. Remove low or crossing branches while young to set a clean trunk, and leave the crown to its naturally rounded shape.

What to expect when it arrives

Sold as advanced stock in 100L and 200L sizes, you are buying real presence on day one: a formed trunk and a canopy that flowers within its first season or two in the ground. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, with specialist transport quoted for your address, and everything is delivered Australia wide with a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Water it in heavily on planting day, stake loosely for the first year in windy positions, and expect new growth once the weather warms. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare our full range of feature trees
• Browse flowering trees for every climate
• More trees with non invasive roots

Common questions

When does it flower?

Late winter into spring in most warm districts, though timing shifts with latitude and season.

Will the roots lift my driveway or paths?

The root system is classed as non invasive, which is unusual for a flowering tree this showy. Standard practice still applies: plant at least 2m off structures and services.

Is it messy?

There is a brief leaf drop before flowering and spent flowers afterwards, concentrated over a few weeks. For the rest of the year it is a tidy, low maintenance tree.