Overview

Spathodea campanulata is a tree tree in the genus Spathodea, part of the Bignoniaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Spathodea campanulata grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include specimen tree, large gardens and parks. It is native to Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.

About

Spathodea campanulata is an evergreen tree used as a specimen in large gardens and parks. It is native to several African countries, including Cameroon, Uganda and Tanzania, and has a seasonal display in spring and summer. In UK conditions it prefers a south-facing, sheltered position on neutral loam kept moist and in full sun. Classified H4 (average) for UK hardiness, it is best placed where winters are not extreme.

About the genus

Spathodea is a genus in the plant family Bignoniaceae. The single species it contains, Spathodea campanulata, is commonly known as the African tulip tree or the Nandi Flame. The tree grows between 7–25 m (23–82 ft) tall and is native to tropical dry forests of Africa.

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

In the garden

Spathodea campanulata (African tulip tree) sits in the Bignoniaceae and is valued in cultivation as a single-specimen tree for expansive grounds and public parks. Its native range includes multiple countries across Africa such as Cameroon, Uganda and Tanzania, and it flowers in the spring and summer seasons. The evergreen foliage gives year-round structure while the seasonal display provides a clear focus at those times of year. Select a south-facing, sheltered site with loam soil of neutral pH and reliable moisture; the tree requires full sun to perform. In the UK it is rated H4 (average) for hardiness, so choose a location protected from exposed winds and late frosts. Avoid very dry soils—maintaining an even level of moisture in the rootzone during establishment is important. Spathodea campanulata works best as a standalone specimen where there is room for its canopy and where visitors can see its seasonal display close to a house, path or lawn. Planting it in an open part of a large garden or park allows both its evergreen form and spring–summer seasonality to be appreciated from nearby windows and routes through the landscape.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Spathodea

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Spathodea campanulata size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Tree

Habit

Tree

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Specimen tree, large gardens, parks

Native to

Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Spathodea campanulata

Propagation

Seed, cuttings, root shoots

Pest resistance

Resistant

Disease resistance

Resistant

Frequently asked questions