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.
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
Where is the best place to plant Kigelia africana?
Kigelia africana prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Kigelia africana need?
Kigelia africana grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays average.
Is Kigelia africana hardy in the UK?
Kigelia africana has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Kigelia africana?
Seed.