Subtropical Garden

Among the noteworthy flowering trees, look for Yellow Flame Tree (Peltophorum dubium), pink Cape Chestnut (Calodendrum capense), lavender-blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), and the Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana). The garden also has many species and hybrids of Salvia, with flowers in red, pink, lavender, blue, purple, yellow, and even brown. Salvia ‘Purple Majesty’ has intense purple flowers, as its name indicates, and was introduced into the plant trade by The Huntington.

A Sampling of the Subtropical Garden Collection

Wigandia urens (Hydrophyllaceae) — A small tree in an otherwise herbaceous family, with showy clusters of blue-violet flowers in spring. Large leaves can grow up to two feet long and across, and are covered with irritating hairs.

Trumpet trees (Bignoniaceae) — Several species of Tabebuia (sometimes now called Handroanthus) are grown here, including T. chrysotricha (Golden Trumpet Tree) and T. heptaphylla (Ipe, Pink Trumpet Tree). These members of the Bignoniaceae flower in late winter/early spring before their leaves appear.

Mimosa polycarpa var. spegazzinii (Fabaceae) – One of the “sensitive” plants whose leaves fold up when touched, a movement made possible by specialized cells at the base of the leaf stalks. The reason for this response has yet to be determined, but it is thought that the folded and drooping leaves are unattractive to herbivores.