Pinkball Dombeya Tree

Location

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​​​Pinkball Dombeya Tree

Dombeya wallichii

• ​​Common Name: Pinkball Dombeya Tree (other common names: Dombeya, Tropical snowball, Florida Hydrangea)
  
• Scientific Name: Dombeya wallichii
  
• Family Name: Malvaceae
  
• Origin: India, East Africa and Madagascar
  
• Height: 20’ – 30’
  
• Width: 20’ – 25’
  
• Growth: grow very rapidly           
  
• Zone: 10A - 11
  
• Light Needs: Full sun, partial sun – partial shade
  
• Salt Tolerance:  None
  
• Soil/PH/Texture: can grow in a wide variety of soils - clay, sand or loam, slightly acidic – slightly alkaline (pH 6.1 – 7.8).
  
• Soil Moisture: occasionally wet but well-drained
  
• Drought Tolerance: moderate (Plants can be watered until established and then forgotten except in the driest locations.)
  
• Pests/Diseases: can get minor cases of aphids, soft scale, nematodes and sooty mold but no serious diseases or pests of major concern.
  
• Growing Conditions: Low maintenance, grows rapidly, easy to grow, only cleanup is dried flower heads.
  
• Characteristics: this broadleaf evergreen has leaves that are green, 2” – 8” in length, simple, alternately arranged, with pinnate/palmate venation. It has showy, huge, fragrant, pendent clusters of tightly packed, 5- to 6-inch-diameter, pink flowers give much the impression of upside-down corsages.
  
• Propagation: by softwood cuttings which will root easily and quickly. (semi hardwood and hardwood cuttings also)
  
• Wildlife: attracts bees, birds and butterflies
  
• Facts: unknown
  
• Designer Considerations: usually grown as a shrub, it can also make a wonderful specimen tree in your yard, shade tree or container tree for your patio or deck.