Overview

Kigelia africana is a tree tree in the genus Kigelia, part of the Bignoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Kigelia africana grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include specimen tree. It is native to Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, DR Congo, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea Is., Ivory Coast, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Northern Provinces, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

About

Kigelia africana is a deciduous tree in the Bignoniaceae grown primarily as a specimen tree. It flowers in the UK from July to September. Give it a sunny, south-facing and sheltered position on neutral loam with average moisture. It is classed H5 (hardy) in UK terms.

About the genus

Kigelia is a genus of flowering plants in the trumpet vine family Bignoniaceae. The genus consists of only one species, Kigelia africana, syn. Kigelia pinnata, which occurs throughout tropical Africa and is cultivated elsewhere in the tropics.

Wikipedia contributors, "Kigelia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Kigelia

In the garden

Kigelia africana is a deciduous tree of the Bignoniaceae, native across tropical Africa. In cultivation it is most often used as a specimen tree where its seasonal flowering can provide a summer focal point; in the UK it reliably flowers from July to September. Select a sunny, south-facing site with shelter from strong winds and plant into loam with a neutral pH and average soil moisture. It prefers full sun and benefits from a sheltered aspect to reduce winter exposure; the plant carries an H5 rating, meaning it is classed as hardy but performs best away from exposed sites. Use Kigelia africana as a focal tree on a lawn or at the end of a drive, where its summer flowers can be enjoyed. Positioning close to a seating area or path ensures the July–September display is visible and appreciated from close range.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Kigelia

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Average

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Kigelia africana size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Tree

Habit

Tree

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Specimen tree

Native to

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, DR Congo, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea Is., Ivory Coast, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Northern Provinces, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Kigelia africana

Propagation

Seed

Pest resistance

Susceptible to aphids, mites

Disease resistance

Susceptible to fungal diseases

Frequently asked questions