Pink Trumpet Tree

Pink Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia heterophylla, also sold as Tabebuia pallida) is a Caribbean feature tree with large, soft pale pink trumpet flowers in spring and deep green, firm leaves. It reaches 6m to 9m high and 4m to 6m wide, small enough for a garden or a street, yet tall enough to give real shade. The roots are non invasive.

Why you'll love it

• Soft pink spring flowers. Large pale pink trumpets, varying in depth of colour from tree to tree, open after the local dry season, usually in spring.
• Well behaved roots. Non invasive roots make it a good choice for street planting and for gardens near paths and paving.
• A round, shady crown. At 6m to 9m high it gives valuable shade without the footprint of a giant tree.
• Flowers when young. It is slow growing but flowers when quite young, so the display starts early.
• Takes tough soil. It grows on poor, dry soils and in salty coastal soils too, and flowers most in full sun.

Where it works best

Street and driveway planting. Non invasive roots suit a verge or driveway. Plant 6m apart along a street or drive, so the crowns just meet as the trees mature.

Feature tree. A single tree in a front garden gives a spring focal point and a pool of shade, with 5m of space around it.

Coastal gardens. It copes with salty coastal soils, so it is worth considering for seaside blocks in warmer areas.

Growing Pink Trumpet Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the most flowers, but a partly shaded position also works. It likes humidity and rain in the growing season, once the flowers and leaves emerge. It loses its leaves for a very short time in winter. Protect it from frost: it suits sheltered, frost free gardens in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate coast, and where a jacaranda grows, it usually will too.

Soil. Free draining soil. It handles poor, dry soils and salty coastal soils as well.

Water and feed. Mulch when planting and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and water well during dry periods in that time. An established tree needs a drink only if summer is very hot and dry. A light spring feed of slow release fertiliser helps a young tree.

Pruning. Stake young plants and shape lightly while the tree is young, removing dead or crossing branches after flowering.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pink Trumpet Tree as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. A tube tree is small, so plant it into prepared ground soon after it arrives and stake it. It is slow growing, though it flowers when quite young.

Tube stock comes from our grower, who does not always have it. When there is none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse flowering trees
• Trees with non invasive roots
• Trees for driveways and avenues
• The best trees for lining driveways

Common questions

Is Pink Trumpet Tree a good street tree?

Yes. The roots are non invasive, the crown is round and shady, and the tree stays at 6m to 9m high, which is why it suits streets and driveways.

Does it lose its leaves?

Only very briefly in winter. The tree is semi deciduous, so you can plant spring flowering bulbs beneath it and they will flower in the light.

Will it grow in my region?

Protect it from frost. A good rule of thumb is that where a jacaranda grows, this tree will usually grow too, so it suits warmer, sheltered gardens best.