Download Perkins Pink Yellowwood Cladrastis kentukea

1810 North Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE 19806
(302) 658-6262
theDCH.org
Perkins Pink Yellowwood
Cladrastis kentukea ‘Perkins Pink’
Description: Excellent tree for flowers and foliage. In full flower the tree appears to be dripping with pink rain.
Slow growing and round-headed. its medium size and spreading habit make it a good shade tree for smaller
properties. Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates drier soils once
established. Best sited in a location protected from strong winds. Prune in summer because cuts made in late
winter or spring tend to bleed sap.
Mature height: 30’-50’ Good choice for planting near patios and terraces. Roots go deep, so other plants may be
easily grown underneath.
Leaves: Alternate, compound, 7 to 9 leaflets, entire leaf 8 to 12’’ long, bright green. Yellow fall color.
Bark: Thin gray to light brown, resembling beech tree bark with slight ridges and horizontal wrinkles.
Flowers: Intensely fragrant, wisteria-like, pink flowers. 10—15” long pendulous panicles in late May to early June.
Can be used as cut flowers. Profuse bloom may occur only once every 2 or 3 years. New trees may not bloom for
the first 8-10 years.
Fruit: Brown pods 2½-4’’ long, containing 4 to 6 flat brown seeds, appear in October. Mature trees produce an
abundance of flowers and fruit every 3rd year which may cause a pod litter problem in those years.
Habitat: Tolerates high pH soils and acid situations. Full sun. Native to the southeastern US. Zone 4 to 8.
Fun Facts: The heartwood of this tree contains a distinctive yellow dye. ‘Perkins Pink’ is an pink cultivar that was
originally discovered in the 1930s at the Perkins Institute for the Blind, Watertown, Massachusetts.