Pseudobombax ellipticum
shaving brush tree
A deciduous tree with succulent green stems that can reach heights up to 18m in its natural habitat but often forming a small tree or shrub up to 6m tall in cultivation. Fragrant flowers which last one day appear before the leaves in spring with green sepals peeling back to expose long white or pink stamens resembling a shaving brush. Large, palmate leaves comprising five, rounded leaflets up to 30cm long and 18cm wide, emerge a bronze-red colour before maturing to green
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink White | Red Green Bronze | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun with protection from frosts. Provide regular water in summer especially if grown as a container plant but protect from excessive winter wet when the tree is dormant
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required but can be trimmed to maintain shape after flowering as the leaves emerge
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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