Large, multi-stemmed shrub or small to medium size tree with a semi-open, flat-topped, spherical crown. The bark is grey and smooth: shallow grooves may appear only when mature. The wood is strikingly yellow, especially when freshly sawn. The compound leaves consist of (5)7 to 9(11) elliptical to ovate leaf segments 8 - 14 cm in size. The leaf turns golden yellow in autumn. The loose, pendent flower clusters consist of numerous, delightfully fragrant, pink flowers. Was discovered as a seedling at the Perkins Institute for the Blind and distributed by the Arnold Arboretum. Typically for the species, it has a fleshy root system and grows best in a sunny, warm place. Very hardy.
imparipinnate, bright green, 20 - 30 cm long, feathered leaf
Autumn colour
yellow
Flowers
pink, in separate, pendent panicles, end May/June, fragrant flowers
Fruits
flat pod, 8 - 12 cm
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
clay and sandy soils
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
4 (-34,4 to -28,9 °C)
Wind resistance
good, more susceptible when mature
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind
Fauna tree
valuable for bees (honey plant)
Application
tree containers, roof gardens
Shape
clearstem tree
Origin
Perkins Institute for the Blind, Waterton, MA, USA, before 1994
Clear stem treeclay soilloamy soilsandy soiltolerates no pavingresistant to frost (WH 1 - 6)can withstand windflatened sphericalround/spherical2nd size, between 6 and 12 metreshalf-open crowngreenMaylate sproutaverage growingConspicuous bloomFeathered leafAttractive autumn colourvaluable for bees (honey plant)non-toxic (usually)Capricious growingOrnamental fruitFragrant flowersplayground tree
Frequently asked questions
Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkin's Pink'
Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkin's Pink' can eventually reach a height of 8 - 12 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.
Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkin's Pink' is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 8 - 12 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.
The leaves of Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkin's Pink' turn yellow in autumn.
The right time to plant Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkin's Pink' is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkin's Pink' with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.
Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkin's Pink' blooms in may.