Psoralia pinnata (Fountain tree)

Psoralia pinnata is a gorgeous small, slender, upright tree that is fast gaining popularity worldwide for it’s spectacular traffic stopping display of flowers from late spring to early summer, and, as housing complexes with tiny gardens become ever more popular, it’s suitability for beautifying these small spaces.

 

This most charming of small trees has a spreading crown with bristly leaves that can easily be pruned into any desired shape and when the Fountain tree covers itself with fragrant clusters of lavender blue and white pea shaped flowers the show is nothing short of breathtaking.

 

TREE DETAILS
Botanical Name	Psoralia pinnata
Common Name	Fountain tree
Genus	Fabaceae
RSA National Tree No’	225.8
LANDSCAPING USES
The fine foliage and enchanting flowers of the Fountain tree look stunning in any garden setting. In the smaller garden it makes a superb specimen tree whereas in larger gardens Psoralia pinnata can be effectively incorporated in a large border where it will look superb, especially when combined with camellias and azaleas that flower at the same time. Planted in a group of 3 to 5, these delightful small trees will provide an attractive display throughout the year. When flowering, insects are attracted to the grape-like fragrance of the flowers which in turn attracts a variety of birds such as White eyes and Robins.
TREE SPECIFICATIONS
Height	4 m
Spread	3 - 4 m
Deciduous/Evergreen	Evergreen
Growth Habit	The Fountain tree occurs along streams and moist areas along forest margins
Bark	The bark is greyish and fairly smooth
Foliage	The compound leaves consist of 4 – 5 sharply pointed narrow leaflets about 1 – 4 mm wide that are dotted with tiny black glands. The leaves are aromatic when crushed
Flowers	The fragrant lavender and white pea shaped flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf axils from October to December
Fruit	The 3 – 5 mm long pods are black and appear after the tree has flowered
Seed	Each pod contains a single black seed
GROWING REQUIREMENTS
Growing regions	Psoralia pinnata is widespread occurring from Clanwilliam to the Cape Peninsula, eastward to George, Knysna and the Eastern Cape and northwards to Kwa Zulu Natal, Swaziland and Mpumalanga
Growing conditions	The lovely Fountain tree should be planted in well drained soil that is  kept well watered and will do equally well in sun or shade but will flower more abundantly in the sun.
Best season	Summer
Hardiness	Psoralia pinnata will tolerate light frost and can withstand strong salt laden coastal wind as well as a moderate amount of drought. However, this tree does not do well in very dry areas such as the Karroo
Propagation	The Fountain tree is easily propagated from seed that has been soaked overnight and planted in a moist seedling mix to which some soil from underneath the original tree has been added
Growth rate	Fast, up to 1m per year
INTERESTING FEATURES
The enchanting Psoralia pinnata is one of the earliest South African plants to be cultivated both locally and abroad. As early as 1690 there where already a number of these lovely trees, that were propagated from seed collected in the Cape, growing in England

 

               P. pinnata Flowers              P. pinnata Leaves                  P. pinnata Bark