DOMBEYA
WALLICHII
Tropical Hydrangea
This is a fast growing medium size tree. It can be grown
as a large shrub too. As a tree it can
grow to 15' in height but it can be kept smaller with
some trimming. Trimming should be done
after the flowers are gone in the spring until mid September.
The old flowers remain on the
plant for a long time. Cleaning up the dry flower heads
is advisable for a neat appearance.
I also recommend that it be kept at a manageable size
in order for you to be able to trim it
back every year after flowering. You can trim it pretty
much as far back as is necessary
without deforming the tree. Dombeya wallichii doesn't
loose its leaves in the winter unless
that the temperature falls to the low 20's. It likes
full sun, plenty of water and fertilizer during the
growing season. The plant will produce its flowers (fragrant)
at the beginning of the year and
they should last for over 1 month. It is a strong grower
and even though it is possible to grow it
in a container for many years, it will perform better
in the ground. The flowers, in my opinion,
smell like a birthday cake or cake batter. Very delicious!
FAMILY
: Sterculiaceae
ORIGIN : Africa
TYPE/USES
: large shrub,
small tree
SIZE : 12'-15'
average
GROWTH
RATE : fast
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS :
full/partial sun
WATER
REQUIREMENTS : average
to high
MIN. TEMP. : low 30's
FLOWER : winter, fragrant
