Wednesday's Flower
Wednesday's Story
Numerous clusters of flowers…
hang upside down from this tree and from a distance; it draws me in. As I come closer, I can see that I’m not the only one attracted to it as bees are buzzing around these pink pompoms like nobody’s buzz-iness (business). The attraction to this flower: for the bees it’s the pollen, and for me it’s a moment to be absorbed in its beauty and aroma.
points of interest
Fast-growing, coarse-textured and freely branching with leaves that are broad and toothed, heart-shaped at the base and softly hairy on the underside. Pink, fragrant flowers are borne in dense 6” wide pendant clusters. Grow as a specimen or in a shrub border where hardy.
general care
Outdoors: fertile, moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Prune to shape after flowering and aggressively, if desired. Indoors: Grow in full, filtered light. Water freely in growth and sparingly in winter. Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly.
friday’s flower fact
Each bloom of the Tropical Hydrangea, Pinkball lasts for about a month, and some say these festive pompom-like blooms smell like cake batter.
Botanical Name | Dombeya wallichii
Family | Sterculiaceae
Type | Evergreen shrub/tree
Origin | E. Africa, Madagascar
Zone | 13-15
Flower Height | 20-30’
Flower Diameter | 2-3”
