Tabebuia impetiginosa - Pink trumpet tree

Tabebuia impetiginosa, the Lapacho, also bears the evocative nickname of the Sacred Tree of the Incas. In South America, it is a majestic tree whose massive pink flowering illuminates the landscape at the end of winter, often before its foliage appears. A symbol of beauty and resilience, a lover of sun and warmth, it can be acclimatised in open ground along the Mediterranean coast. Elsewhere, it can be attempted in a large pot, although it is more challenging to get it to flower there. It should be placed on the terrace during summer, then moved to a greenhouse or conservatory in winter.

Tabebuia impetiginosa, also known as the Lapacho, Sacred Tree of the Incas or Ipe, belongs to the Bignoniaceae family. It is a cousin of Jacaranda mimosifolia. Native to Latin America, its natural range extends from Mexico to northern Argentina, passing through countries such as Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru. It is mainly found in tropical and subtropical forests, particularly in the Amazon rainforest, where it prefers sunny and well-drained sites. This tree thrives in warm climates, with or without a dry season, where the average annual temperature ranges between 20 and 25°C. It tolerates extremes from -4°C to 40°C. It adapts to various soil types, whether clay, loam, or sandy, provided they are well-drained and not too poor. Tabebuia impetiginosa is an upright tree that develops a rounded and spreading crown. At 10 years old, in open ground, it typically reaches a height of 4 to 6 m with a spread of 3 to 4 m. At maturity, in South America, it can reach heights of 15 to 20 m, with a spread of 10 to 15 m. Its growth is moderate, taking several years to reach its full size. When grown in a pot, its dimensions remain much more modest: between 2 and 3 m in height, depending on the container size and growing conditions. The leaves are palmate and compound, usually consisting of 5 elliptical leaflets measuring between 5 and 13 cm in length and 2.5 to 5 cm in width. They are dark green with slightly toothed margins. The tree is semi-evergreen, losing some of its foliage during the dry season or just before flowering. The flowers, which are the main attraction of this tree, are tubular and measure 7.5 to 10 cm in length with a diameter of 3.5 cm. They are pink to violet with an orange-yellow throat. The flowers cluster in dense terminal panicles, which can contain up to 75 flowers. Flowering most often occurs between March and late May, often before the new foliage appears, but it can also occur in autumn, depending on the climate. After flowering, the tree produces brown, hairy pods measuring between 15 and 30 cm in length. These pods persist on the tree during winter and contain winged seeds that are dispersed by the wind. The bark of Tabebuia impetiginosa is rough and has a brownish hue with longitudinal fissures. Its stems are robust, supporting the weight of the flowers and fruits. The root system of this tree is quite deep, giving it good stability and some drought tolerance once established.

Very similar in temperament to the Blue Flamboyant, the Lapacho can rival it in beauty, but in pink. However, it is even more sensitive to cold. It needs mild winters and spring humidity to allow it to thrive. It deserves a spot as a standalone feature in a large, sheltered garden. Outside these regions, it is essential to bring the Lapacho indoors in winter as soon as temperatures drop below 5°C. Place it in a conservatory, cold greenhouse, or bright room, where it can continue its dormancy without suffering frost. A drop in temperatures to around 10°C in winter encourages beautiful flowering in spring. In spring and summer, full sun exposure is essential for good growth.