Purple Trumpet Tree, Tabebuia impetiginosa
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The Purple Trumpet is without a doubt one of the most spectacular flowering trees encountered in Florida landscapes, blooming in late winter/early spring this tree produces terminal clusters of 2 - 3 inch, tubular magenta flowers with a yellow throat.
Flowering lasts about 21 days beginning in February or March after the tree has shed its leaves, allowing sunlight to shine through the translucent flower petals & highlight the yellow interior.
Purple Trumpet is a briefly deciduous tree imported from South America that reaches 15 to 35 feet in height, losing its leaves when the temperature drops below 40 degrees or just before it flowers, and putting out new leaves after flowering.
Bark is silvery-gray with shallow vertical furrows. Trees should be pruned to maintain a single trunk until they reach 6 to 8 feet tall, at that size the tree can be allowed to grow naturally. Canopy has an open form, allowing sunlight to reach turf or understory plantings.
There are a couple of different varieties available.
U.S.D.A. zones - 9 - 12b can withstand temps. down to 21 degrees for short periods without damage.
Height - 25 to 35 feet with a slightly narrower spread. Fast growing, up to four feet per year when young.
Light requirements - Full sun
Soil - Needs well drained soil, prefers rich, slightly acidic soil, Manganese and iron deficiencies may occur from alkaline soils and can cause leaf and/or flowers to drop prematurely.
Moisture - Well established specimens are fairly drought resistant, likes moist soil from spring through fall, allow to stay on the drier side in winter.
Fertilize and prune after flowering.