Kentucky Yellowwood, Yellowwood, Gopherwood, Virgilia, Yellow Ash, Cladrastis lutea, Cladrastis tinctoria
A fine tree for the landscape, Cladrastis kentukea (Yellowwood) is a medium-sized, deciduous tree with a broad-rounded crown of graceful, upward-spreading branches clothed with pinnately-compound leaves. Emerging yellow-green, the leaves mature to bright green as the season progresses and turn yellow to golden brown in the fall. In spring, a profusion of large, pendant panicles, 8-14 in. long (20-35 cm), of intensely fragrant white flowers cascade from the canopy. Resembling wisteria, they create a most spectacular floral show. However, Yellowwood may bloom only once every 2 or 3 years and young trees may not bloom for the first 8-10 years. The flowers are followed by hanging clusters of small dry bean-pods, maturing in the fall and persisting into winter. The older branches and trunk are smooth, gray and beech-like. The heavy crop of fragrant flowers, handsome foliage, attractive fall color, appealing smooth bark, and good resistance to disease and insect problems make it a desirable tree for landscaping. An excellent specimen tree or shade tree, it deserves a prominent position in the landscape.
Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Leguminosae |
Common names | Gopherwood |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 40' - 50' (12.2m - 15.2m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Leguminosae |
Common names | Gopherwood |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 40' - 50' (12.2m - 15.2m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
How many Cladrastis kentukea (Yellowwood) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Cladrastis kentukea (Yellowwood) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!