Handroanthus Species, Yellow Trumpet Tree

Handroanthus umbellatus is a slow-moderate growing flowering tree in Central Florida that has non-invasive roots and does not quickly nat...Read Moreuralize an area and crowd out native/other vegetation.
It grows well in full sun and can also grow and flower well in the company of other trees, which will sometimes force it to grow taller as it seeks more light.
H. umbellatus also tolerates hurricane-force winds fairly well.
Its growth habit and potential size are somewhat similar to that of Cornus florida (Dogwood), and it is a suitable substitute for Dogwood, whose southern natural range is in Central Florida.
H. umbellatus is both drought and flood tolerant (but is not a wetland tree) and can withstand temperatures into the low-mid 20's
F.
There used to be a large specimen tree to the south of the UCF library, but it was severely damaged and subsequently removed after the 1983 and 1985 freezes, which brought temperatures into the low 20's F.
H. umbellatus typically defoliates during the spring dry season or possibly earlier in the winter if it experiences sub-freezing temperatures.
Its spectacularly bright yellow flowers suddenly bloom in March-April and are followed by vegetative growth. Although its flowers usually do not persist for more than 10 days, sometimes it can have a double bloom.
I have grown H. umbellatus for over 40 years and believe that this relatively care-free tree should be more widely planted in CFL and perhaps into Northern Florida with the northward migration of the climate zones.
Yesterday from my home-office window, I enjoyed watching hummingbirds seeking nectar from a tree's trumpet shaped flowers.

T. Umbellata is the most cold hardy of the 3 yellow-flowering Tabebuias planted in Florida. It's possibly the more spectacular at peak bl...Read Moreoom with deep yellow flowers (brighter than the pictures show) totally covering the branches. It's also the latest of the 3 to bloom, from late March into April. The cycle is relatively short and after seeing trees in full bloom I've come back 10 days later and found them completely bare. Even when not in flower it's handsome with horizontal branches (what identifies this species at first glance) and symmetrical, open form. Very common tree in Orlando neighborhoods, less so in Southern Florida where T. Aurea is the one usually planted.