African Flowering Trees

• The large and diverse continent of Africa provides a home to an ecosystem that supports numerous flowering tree species. The trees help provide nesting sites for birds, a valuable food source for wildlife and beauty to the surrounding countryside. Flowering trees native to the region have become valued ornamentals in landscapes across the world.

African Baobab Tree

• The African baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) grows to a height of approximately 70 feet. The tree has a massive trunk that measures up to 35 feet diameter. The tree has adapted over time to store water within its large trunk in case drought should occur. A deciduous tree, it produces white flower clusters that hang downward each spring. Each flower measures up to 5 inches across and opens only at night. The tree depends on pollination to occur from bats. Following flowering, it produces gray, gourd-like fruits that hang downward and measure up to a foot in length.

  Native to Africa, the tree occurs from the sub-Saharan region south into South Africa. The tree has become a desirable ornamental and street tree that is widely grown around the world in tropical locations. Plant the tree in full sunlight. It requires no supplemental water in the winter to thrive. The tree grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 to 12.

Coast Coral Tree

• The coast coral tree (Erythrina caffra) grows to a height of 30 to 40 feet. The tree's native habitat covers eastern Africa, South Africa and Kenya. Racemes of orange-reddish flowers occur in the late winter or early spring before the tree's leaves appear. The tree forms a rounded canopy with light green foliage. Each leaf is comprised of three oval leaflets. The bark of the tree is a light grayish color. The tree often has thorns, depending on the variety.

  Plant in full sunlight for best flowering. The tree appreciates deep watering. Choose a planting location that offers well-draining soil. It thrives in USDA Zones 10 to 12.

African Tuliptree

• The African tuliptree (Spathodea campanulata), native to Equatorial African rain forests, grows up to 80 feet in height. The tree has a high drought tolerance. The pinnate leaves bear up to 17 individual leaflets. The leaves measure up to 2 feet in length. In April, the tree begins to produce trumpet-shaped scarlet-orange flowers that appear in clusters. Following flowering, 10-inch-long seed pods appear that contain up to 500 individual seeds.

  Plant the African tuliptree in full sunlight. The tree thrives in locations that receive ample rainfall. It prefers moist, fertile soil. It can withstand drought but will loose its lush foliage. The tree grows best in USDA zones 10 to 11. It is widely grown throughout southern Florida as an ornamental.