Pink Trumpet Tree

Pink Trumpet Tree (Handroanthus impetiginosus, long sold in Australia as Tabebuia palmeri) puts on one of the boldest flowering displays of any warm climate tree. In late winter the bare branches disappear under clusters of rose pink to purple trumpets, weeks before the new leaves arrive. It matures at about 8m tall with a 5m spreading canopy, a scale that suits home gardens, driveways and street frontages alike.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers on bare wood. The display runs late winter into spring with no foliage to hide it: a whole canopy of pink.
• A real shade canopy. At 8m tall and 5m wide it grows into a genuine shade tree, not just a flowering ornament.
• Tougher than it looks. Established trees are drought tolerant, heat tolerant and wind tolerant, so the show does not depend on pampering.
• Alive with pollinators. Bees and butterflies work the trumpets through the flowering season.
• Low maintenance. It needs little more than shaping while young and water while establishing.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Plant it where it can be seen from the house or street, with room for the 5m canopy to develop evenly.

Driveways and avenues. Planted about 6m apart along a drive, the canopies just meet into a flowering arch at maturity without crowding each other.

Coastal and exposed gardens. Its wind tolerance suits coastal districts in the warm half of the country, where it doubles as summer shade over lawns and seating areas.

Growing Pink Trumpet Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, always. It thrives in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates. Established trees tolerate light frost only, so it is not a tree for cold inland or southern gardens.

Soil. Any well drained soil. Improve the planting hole with compost, mound the bed on heavy clay, and mulch to 75mm clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper off; mature trees ride out dry spells. A light feed in early spring is all it asks.

Pruning. Shape a single clear trunk while the tree is young, then leave it alone apart from removing crossing or damaged wood after flowering. It drops its leaves briefly around flowering time, which is normal behaviour, not stress.

What to expect when it arrives

This is an advanced tree range, sold in 45L, 100L, 200L and 400L sizes. A 45L tree arrives with an established trunk and real height and settles in quickest; 100L and 200L bring instant presence, and the 400L is a landscape specimen. Stake new trees for their first season on windy sites.

Trees are delivered Australia wide. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every tree is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full flowering tree range
• Compare feature trees for lawns and entries
• Tabebuia rosea, a close relative with the same pink display
• The best canopy trees for creating shade

Common questions

When does it flower?

Late winter into spring, on bare branches. A newly planted tree may give a lighter display in its first season while it re-establishes, then build to a full show as the roots settle.

Does it lose its leaves?

Briefly, yes. It sheds foliage around flowering time in late winter, which is exactly what makes the display so striking, and the new leaves follow as the flowers finish.

How far from the house should I plant it?

Allow for the 5m canopy: keep the trunk at least 3m from walls, and 6m from the next tree along a driveway so each crown develops evenly.

Will it handle frost?

Established trees take light frost. Young trees should be protected on cold nights for their first couple of winters, and districts with regular hard frosts are better served by a different feature tree.

Which size should I choose?

The 45L establishes fastest and catches up quickly, making it the value pick. Choose 100L or 200L for immediate presence, and 400L when the landscape needs a finished specimen.