Pink Shower Tree (Cassia bakeriana)

One of the most successful flowering tree introductions to southern Florida in the past 15 years has been Cassia bakeriana. Native to Thailand and Burma (Myanmar), the Pink Shower Tree blooms profusely in the spring, producing flowers that progress from pink to lighter pink to white. The flowers attract butterflies and bees. Newly-emerging leaves are velvety. This fast-growing species matures in the 20-30 ft. range, with a nearly equal spread. It is somewhat smaller than a longtime Florida favorite, Cassia javanica, the Apple Blossom Shower Tree.

C. bakeriana is not only beautiful, but also undemanding. A sunny exposure and good drainage are its only significant requirements. After the tree becomes established on its site, it will exhibit some drought tolerance. The flexible branches of this species are capable of resisting breakup in heavy winds. It also appears not to be susceptible to the stem-end borers that affect some other Cassia species.

The staff at Richard Lyons’ Nursery believes that the Pink Shower Tree is, without exaggeration, the tropical equivalent of Cherry Blossom Trees. We offer C. bakeriana in 3- and 7-gal. containers.