The Tabebuia tree is a vibrant blooming tree with pink, light purple, or pale yellow flowers that is also known as the trumpet tree. In hot regions, where deciduous trees add color and fragrance to garden landscapes, tabebuia trees flourish. Small to medium-sized trees may be maintained as an attractive tree or shade tree, and they flourish in containers.
In this article, you will learn about identifying the various types of tabebuia trees. Descriptions and pictures of tabebuia tree flowers and leaves will help tell the difference between the species. At the end of the article, you will get some handy tips on caring for a tabebuia tree.
What is a Tabebuia Tree?
The genus Tabebuia and family Bignoniaceae include tabebuia trees, which are tiny to medium-sized deciduous trees. Tabebuia trees range in height from 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 meters) and in width from 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 meters). Some species, on the other hand, may grow to be 60 feet (18 meters) tall.
The tree is known as Handroanthus by some botanists. Tabebuia, on the other hand, is still a popular and recognized name for this tropical tree. The spectacular blooms that appear throughout the summer are referred to as trumpets by the common name. In warm, humid environments, Tabebuia trees thrive. USDA zones 10 and 11 are ideal for the leafy deciduous flowering tree.
The tabebuia tree is a popular flowering tree in Florida due to its hardiness zone. Tabebuia trees thrive in Florida’s coastal areas and are salt and drought resistant. In residential landscapes and as street trees, yellow and pink tabebuia trees are widespread in southern Florida.
The open, spreading pyramidal-shaped canopy with few branches distinguishes the tabebuia tree in the landscape. The leaves on the tree canopy spread filter light while protecting the tree from the harsh summer heat. The crown grows wider and more irregular with age. Tabebuia trees grow at a moderate to rapid pace depending on the species.
Pink trumpet tree (Tabebuia impetiginosa) growth rates of 12″ to 24″ (30 – 60 cm) per year, for example, Nonetheless, it may take two to three years for a freshly planted trumpet tree to bloom and produce flowers.
Common Types of Tabebuia Trees
Tabebuia trees come in nearly 100 different varieties. Yet, four kinds of tabebuia trees dominate residential landscapes in southern states like Florida. The most typical tabebuia trees are described below:
Tabebuia impetiginosa—The deciduous tree, also known as the purple trumpet tree or ‘Ipe,’ has rose-pink to purple trumpet-shaped blooms. The tabebuia purpurea can reach a height of 18 feet (5.4 meters) and a width of 15 feet (4.5 meters).
Tabebuia heterophylla—In southern Florida, the pink trumpet tree thrives. It has a spring and summer flowering showy pink blooms. The 20 to 30 feet (6.1 – 9 m) tall and 15 to 25 feet (4.5 – 7.6 m) broad flowering deciduous tree
Tabebuia chrysotricha—With its brilliant yellow blooms and magnificent funnel-shaped blossoms, this gorgeous flowering tree is known as the golden trumpet tree. Tabebuia trees may grow up to 35 feet (10 meters) tall and broad.
Tabebuia caraiba—Because of its silvery foliage, this trumpet tree is also known as the silver trumpet tree. The tabebuia tree has palmately compound leaves and colorful flowers. The silver tabebuia tree can reach a height of 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.6 meters) and a width of 15 feet (4.5 meters).
Tabebuia Tree Flowers
Tabebuia heterophylla is a trumpet-shaped blooms that bloom in hanging clusters. It is a showy blooms. Pink, white, brilliant yellow, and lavender-purple are among the colorful blooms. Before the leaves appear in the spring, the tabebuia tree blooms. The flowers of the tabebuia tree range in length from 1 inch to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm).
Tabebuia Tree Leaves
Tabebuia heterophylla leaves have five to seven leaflets on a leaf stem and are leathery oval or oblong palmately compound leaves. Tabebuia whole palmate leaves may be up to 12” (30 cm) long, and individual leaflets measure 2″ to 6″ (5 – 15 cm). Before they fall, the leaves of the Tabebuia tree do not change color.
Tabebuia Tree Identification
Look for the distinguishing leaves, attractive trumpet blooms, and somewhat rough, fissured, tan-colored bark to differentiate between a tabebuia tree and others. Tabebuia leaves contain five to seven leaflets and are dark glossy green. The tree’s big clusters of showy pink, white, or yellow blooms bloom profusely. The pyramidal crown of a tree is easily recalled.
Types of Tabebuia Trees (With Pictures) – Identification
Let’s take a closer look at the most popular tabebuia tree cultivars in southern and tropical climates, shall we?
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Purple Trumpet Tree)
The tabebuia impetiginosa is a towering flowering tree with gorgeous brilliant pink to magenta trumpet-shaped blooms. With open, spreading branches, the pink trumpet tree has an irregular pyramidal shape. In the spring, the pink tabebuia tree flowers, and throughout the summer, they last. Palmately compound dark olive-green leaves cover the tree.
Tabebuia impetiginosa grows up to 40 feet (12 meters) tall and spreads up to 40 feet (12 meters) wide. The leaves and flowers are poisonous. The slow-growing blooming deciduous tree, on the other hand, may grow to be 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) tall in residential areas.
Five oval to oblong blades measuring 5″ (12 cm) long make up the leaves of Tabebuia impetiginosa. The dark green color, pinnate structure, and ovate leaflets with a pointed apex are characteristics that distinguish the leaves. When the tree’s leaves fall away in late spring, the flowers bloom.
Long brown bean pods develop on the pink trumpet tree after the flower blooms. The winged seeds are contained in the bean-like pods, which range from 3 to 12 inches (7.5 to 30 cm) long. When young, the bark of Tabebuia impetiginosa is smooth and grey, but as the tree develops, it becomes furrowed.
For best results, plant Tabebuia impetiginosa in full sun on moist well-drained soil. Pink trumpet trees are drought-tolerant and may be established. The pink trumpet tree’s blooms are stunning, tubular tubular blooms with yellow throats. Tabebuia Tree Flowers:
Tabebuia impetiginosa has tubular rose-pink or magenta flowers, large dark green palmately compound leaves, and an irregular pyramidal form. It blooms from July to September. In the autumn, long seed podlike structures sprout and distribute little seeds.
Tabebuia chrysotricha (Golden Trumpet Tree With Yellow Flowers)
Tabebuia chrysotricha is a little semi-deciduous blossoming tree with funnel-shaped flowers and long dark green leaves. It is a Golden Trumpet Tree. The rounded, spreading canopy of golden trumpet trees in Florida provides shade. Tabebuia chrysotricha trees reach heights of 25 to 35 feet (7.6 to 10).
Five spoon-shaped or elongated oval leaves with a pointed tip make up the pinnately compound leaves of Tabebuia chrysotricha. Near the ends of the individual leaflets, there is slight serration. The leaf color changes to silvery-green with a brown fuzzy underside as the tree develops.
The golden trumpet tree has dazzling floral displays on bare branches, as do other species of trumpet tree. With huge clusters of funnel-shaped yellow blooms that cover the whole tree, the Tabebuia chrysotricha tree brightens up spring residential landscapes. USDA zones 10 and 11 are ideal for Tabebuia chrysotricha. In full sun and moist, well-draining soil, the tiny flowering tree thrives best.
The yellow trumpet tree is easy to maintain in a garden setting once it’s grown and requires minimal trimming. The funnel-shaped golden trumpet tree flowers are bright yellow and appear throughout the year. At the ends of exposed stems, yellow tubular blooms bloom.
The brilliantly-colored yellow blooms, dark green palmately compound leaves, and long brown, hairy seed capsules of Tabebuia chrysotricha identify it as a tree. The light brown bark of the Tabebuia chrysotricha develops rough and fissured as it ages.
Bark of Tabebuia chrysotricha
Tabebuia heterophylla (Pink Trumpet Tree)
The showy pink tubular flowers that adorn the tree in spring and summer are named for the Tabebuia heterophylla (Pink trumpet tree). Palmately compound leaves, brown bean-like seed pods, and a pyramidal crown characterize the spectacular flowering deciduous tree. The Tabebuia heterophylla tree can grow to be 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) tall.
Tabebuia heterophylla trees have five oval leaves with smooth edges and flowers that bloom from May to June. The complicated leaves grow up to 12” (30 cm) in length, and the separate blades range from 2″ to 6″ (5 – 15 cm) long. The semi-deciduous leaves of Tabebuia fall off just before the pink or pale purple blooms appear, as do those of most other species.
The pink trumpet tree’s long brown hairy seed pods develop after it blooms. Many winged seeds are contained in these finger-like capsules. When the pods dry, they turn brown and become green. The seed pods of Tabebuia heterophylla are 3″ to 12″ (7.5 to 15 cm) in length.
During the summer, Tabebuia heterophylla’s juvenile seed pod provides dappled shade under a wide, spreading canopy with sparsely growing branches. To offer shade, plant the pink trumpet tree near a deck or patio. Summer gardens will be enhanced with the lovely pink blooms and fragrance.
Pink trumpet tree blooms are lovely clusters of pinkish-purple tubular blossoms with white sepals and yellow throats, which bloom on the Tabebuia Tree. Tabebuia heterophylla is identified by its smooth, oval leaves, showy pink flower clusters, and silvery gray bark that becomes scaly with age. The irregular oval crown of the Tabebuia heterophylla distinguishes it from other trees.
Bark of Tabebuia heterophylla
Tabebuia caraiba (Silver Trumpet Tree)
Tabebuia caraiba (Silver trumpet tree) is a little multi-stemmed flowering tree with twisting trunks, clusters of golden yellow tubular flowers, and narrow oblong silvery green leaves. Tabebuia caraiba (sometimes known as Tabebuia aurea and Tabebu### When the leaves drop in spring, the yellow Tabebuia caraiba blooms bloom over the whole tree, climbing up to 3″ (7.5 cm) long.
The palmately compound leaves of the Tabebuia caraiba tree are 5 leaflets long and 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide. The yellow trumpet tree leaves are lanceolate shaped, not oval and rounded, unlike other Tabebuia species. The foliage also has a relatively sparse appearance due to the lance-shaped leaves that grow on the ends of long petioles.
Yellow trumpet tree flowers are huge, gorgeous clusters of funnel-like golden yellow blooms that bloom at the tips of branches and are found in large groups.
The contorted trunk, clusters of brilliant yellow blooms, and long lanceolate palmately compound leaves distinguish Tabebuia caraiba from other trees.
How to Plant Tabebuia Tree
If you live in warm, humid climates, tabebuia trees are simple to grow. Select the brightest area in your yard, where it receives about eight hours of sunlight every day, to plant a trumpet tree. The soil should be rich and well-drained as well. Dig the hole twice as wide and deep as the container for a bare-rooted tabebuia tree.
Amend the soil with compost, peat moss, and perlite to make sure it is fertile and well-draining. At the same height as it was growing in the container, plant a young tabebuia tree. The hole needs to be backfilled, and all air gaps in the soil must be filled. Next, thoroughly moisten the roots of the trumpet tree. Give the tree weekly deep watering for the first few months after it has been planted.
How to Care For Tabebuia Tree
In a garden landscape, Tabebuia trees are relatively easy to care for. Nevertheless, in order for the lovely blooming tree to thrive every spring and remain pest and disease-free, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Where to Plant Tabebuia Tree
Tabebuia trees require six to eight hours of sunlight each day to thrive in full sun. Nonetheless, in part shade, the tropical tree performs admirably. During the summer in colder regions, you may cultivate tabebuia trees in pots and bring them inside for the winter.
Only USDA zones 10 and 11 can accommodate Tabebuia trees, which cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. They may, however, flourish in zone 9’s hottest areas.
Tabebuia Tree Soil Preference
Good drainage and high nutrient content are the most important soil requirements for tabebuia trees. Every spring, trees planted in rich soil with good drainage produce copious amounts of yellow or pink flowers. Poor drainage can harm the growth of trees and lead to fewer blooms.
How to Water Tabebuia Tree
The only time to water a tabebuia tree is if there has been an extended dry spell. Drought tolerant trumpet trees need little water and have been around for a long time. It is not advised to overwater a tabebuia tree. If there is too much moisture in the spring, your tree might appear to be barren.
Wait six to eight weeks before watering the tabebuia tree. As a consequence, Tabebuia trees bloom more regularly during dry seasons. This helpful hint helps to ensure that when the flowers in the springtime fall, they will provide a broad variety of beautiful blooms.
Tabebuia Tree Fertilization Tips
Every spring, till the tabebuia tree is established, fertilize it. It is important to fertilize yearly young trumpet trees so that the root system develops properly and they bloom well. For trumpet trees, 16-4-8 is a good tree fertilizer. Fertilizing established trees, on the other hand, is not required. Remember that it takes three years for tabebuias to bloom from seed.
Pruning Tabebuia Tree
Pruning is not required for Tabebuia trees. As the tree grows, the natural pyramidal crown gradually expands. You may, however, trim back branches during the dormant season to preserve the tree’s form and size. Additionally, keeping healthy growth in check is helped by pruning dead or damaged branches.
Propagating Tabebuia Tree
Hardwood cuttings are the simplest way to grow a tabebuia tree. In the beginning of spring, you’ll need to prune mature branches down to 12″ (30 cm). Put the lower part of the cutting in a small pot with potting soil after removing the bark. Tabebuia needs to be watered on a regular basis. You can transplant the rooted tree to your garden or a bigger pot after eight weeks, roots have developed.
Pest or Disease Problems Affecting Tabebuia Tree
Pests and diseases have little impact on tabebuia trees. Tabebuia thrips (Holopothrips sp.) is one of the pests that may be found. Little flying insects may cause minor leaf injury, but they are not a serious threat. Prune damaged leaves and destroy them to the greatest degree feasible to control thrips.