Cladrastis kentukea

RHS Plant Profile

Kentucky yellow-wood

RHS

Other common names

virgilia, yellow ash, yellowwood, yellow-wood

Synonyms

Cladrastis tinctoria
Cladrastis lutea

Trees

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A spreading tree with bright, light green leaves to 30cm long composed of 7-9 ovate leaflets, turning clear yellow in autumn. Pendent panicles of fragrant white flowers to 3cm long are borne in late spring and early summer.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: SE USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well drained soil in full sun sheltered from cold winds as the wood is very brittle.

Propagation

Sow seeds as soon as ripe in the autumn and keep in cold frame - propagation trees from sed. Take root cuttings in winter.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural

Pruning

Pruning group 1 after flowering or in late autumn or early winter.

Pests

Usually pest-free

Diseases

Usually disease free