The first Wednesday in June I was able to stop at the History Park in Punta Gorda to see an amazing site – the flowering of the golden shower tree. This magnificent flowering tree put on a show of golden-yellow cascading flowers against a beautiful blue sky that was memorable. Golden showers can be a little cold-sensitive, but it makes a great specimen tree in the warmer parts of Charlotte County.
Growing relatively fast to no more than thirty feet tall and wide, the golden shower needs full sun for best flowering and well-drained soil to ward off root rot. This tree is considered semi-deciduous as it loses its leaves for a short time just prior to flowering and a new flush of foliage. The leaves are pinnately compound in nature and are arranged in an alternate pattern on the branches. Prone to having droopy branches, asymmetrical growth, and codominant stems, the golden shower will benefit from pruning to develop one central trunk and well-spaced structurally sound branches adding support to this low wind-resistance tree.
The flowers are in the name and in summer, the golden shower tree will attract both pollinators and passersby. The flowers are arranged in pendulous racemes up to sixteen inches long and can be produced in such large quantities that you can hardly see the leaves. These flowers are eventually replaced by equally noticeable one-to two-foot-long tubular seed pods which change from green to brown as they mature. Keep in mind that these seeds are toxic in consideration of children and pets, so plant – or don’t plant – accordingly.
The golden shower tree is recommended as a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved plant. While that foundational endorsement should be sufficient, to see the tree in bloom in person will seal the deal for sure! Just keep in mind the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principle, “Right Plant, Right Place”, and you will be in for years of splendor in own yard! For more information on all types of flowering trees suitable to grow in our area, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
Gilman, E. F. & Watson, D. G. (1993) Cassia fistula – Golden-Shower. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Roberts, J. (2021) What’s in Bloom? …Golden Shower. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Orange County.
Caldwell, D. (2014) Flowering Trees for Southwest Florida. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Collier County.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design (2022) The University of Florida Extension Services, IFAS
Landre, C. (2024) Cassia Trees. South-Florida-Plant-Guide.com.
Wikipedia (2024) Cassia fistula https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassia_fistula.
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