Pink shower (Cassia × nealiae 'Lunalilo Yellow')
Stunning Pink shower tree, Cassia × nealiae 'Lunalilo Yellow', offers fragrant golden yellow blooms from April to September in warm climates.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Pink shower, scientifically known as Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’, is highly valued by tropical and subtropical gardeners for its spectacular, long blooming season and fragrant displays. As a sterile hybrid, this magnificent tree focuses its energy on producing abundant, showy flowers rather than messy seed pods, making it an excellent street or landscape specimen. Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ typically matures into a substantial tree reaching 30 to 50 feet tall, creating a wide canopy perfect for providing cooling shade. Its cultural success hinges on providing plenty of direct sun and protection from harsh winds and hard frosts, rewarding attentive gardeners with dependable color across the warmer months.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Fabaceae
- Plant Type: Tree
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 30-50 ft
- Spread: 20-40 ft
- Bloom Time: April to September
- Bloom Description: Golden yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting this spectacular tree is best done in a location that receives full sun throughout the day, which maximizes flowering potential. Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ thrives in well-drained soils with medium moisture; ensure the planting site avoids areas where water pools after rain. While young trees require consistent watering to establish their root systems, established specimens of Pink shower exhibit noticeable drought tolerance once mature.
Routine care involves monitoring for adequate moisture, especially during peak summer heat. Fertilization is generally not necessary unless the tree shows signs of nutrient deficiency, as excessive feeding can sometimes reduce bloom quality. Since this is a sterile hybrid, heavy pruning is usually unnecessary, though occasional structural pruning can maintain shape, particularly when used near buildings or walkways.
Protecting your Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ from drying winds is crucial for preventing leaf burn and stress. Though it has some tolerance for brief light frost (down to about 25°F), this species cannot withstand hard freezes. If you are propagating this tree, remember that it is sterile and must be multiplied vegetatively through grafting or air layering to ensure true-to-type performance.
Landscape Uses
The impressive stature and glorious floral display of Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ make it an outstanding choice for large ornamental purposes. Due to its expansive 30-to-50-foot height and broad canopy, it functions perfectly as a powerful shade tree over patios or open lawns in warm climates. Its robust structure also qualifies it as an excellent street tree, provided adequate space exists beneath utilities for its eventual spread of 20 to 40 feet.
When focusing on aesthetic design, consider planting the Pink shower where its golden yellow blooms (a unique trait of the ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ cultivar) can contrast beautifully against darker green foliage or the pale colors of structures. Since this hybrid is known for producing cleaner grounds due to fewer seed pods, it integrates well into formal landscape beds where low clean-up is desired. Pair it with drought-tolerant tropical understory plants that appreciate filtered shade once the main canopy develops.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Cassia × nealiae, commonly called rainbow shower tree, is a hybrid cross between C. Fistula (golden shower tree) and C. Javanica (pink-and-white shower tree). It is noted for producing a show-stopping bloom of lightly-scented, 5-petaled flowers in 8-12” pendant racemes from April to September, with the biggest concentrations of bloom occurring in July-August. The ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ is particularly valued as a yellow flowered form whose original growing site was on Lunalilo Street in Honolulu, offering beautiful golden yellow, fragrant flowers.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
The Pink shower generally exhibits good resistance to serious pests and diseases, making it an easy-to-manage flowering tree once established. However, in humid conditions, watch for the appearance of mildew or minor leaf spots, which can typically be managed with appropriate cultural adjustments or fungicides if severe. The primary vulnerability is temperature; the tree is intolerant of hard frost and will suffer damage if exposed to temperatures dipping below 25°F for extended periods.
Remembering that Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ is a sterile hybrid is important for propagation purposes; do not attempt growing from seed unless you are a researcher interested in variation. For all garden needs, rely on expert grafting or air layering to ensure the continuation of this superior ornamental form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Pink shower suitable for?
The Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ is best suited for long-term growth in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12.
How large does Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ grow?
This magnificent tree typically reaches mature heights between 30 and 50 feet, with a spread ranging from 20 to 40 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Pink shower need?
To ensure the most abundant and vibrant bloom display from April through September, this tree requires full sun exposure.
When does Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ bloom?
This variety offers spectacular golden yellow, fragrant flowers across a long season, generally blooming continuously from April all the way through September.
Conclusion
The Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’, known commonly as Pink shower, remains a top-tier ornamental choice in subtropical landscapes due to its prolific flowering, fragrant golden yellow blooms, and sterile nature. Its relatively low maintenance profile and drought tolerance post-establishment make it highly practical for homeowners and municipal planting projects alike. Before planting, always confirm that your local climate falls securely within USDA Zones 10-12 to ensure this stunning hybrid flourishes.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors enhances the appeal of the Pink shower. Because this tree performs best in well-drained soil and full sun, look for companions that share similar heat and water requirements. Consider planting lower-growing, flowering tropical shrubs like certain varieties of Hibiscus or Lantana beneath it, as they will benefit from the filtered afternoon light provided by the mature canopy while thriving in similar soil drainage. Avoid plants that prefer rich, constantly moist conditions, as this can lead to poor drainage around the tree’s roots.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is the critical time for observing the shift in this semi-deciduous hybrid; watch for the brief leaf drop in March or April just before the intense flowering begins. Once leaves emerge with the bloom, monitoring water needs, especially for newly planted Cassia × nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’, is paramount. During the hot summer bloom period (July/August peak), ensure moderate, consistent watering to support heavy flowering. In autumn, reduce watering slightly as the tree naturally slows growth, preparing it for any brief frost events that might occur in late winter.
