Dombeya burgessiae

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Botanical Name

Dombeya burgessiae

Family

Sterculiaceae - The cocoa and cola family.

Pronunciation

DOM-bee-yuh bur-JESS-ee-ay

Common Name(s)

English: Pink wild pear; Pink dombeya

Afrikaans: Persdrolpeer

IsiZulu: iBunda

Tshivenda: Mupfulwi

Plant Group

Tree A woody, self-supporting perennial plant usually with a single main stem and generally growing more than 6 meters tall.

Plant Size

Large

Tree 18m to 25m

Shrub 3m to 4m

Perennial/ground cover 75cm to 1m

Bulb 80cm to 1.2m

Succulent 1m to 1.5m
Very Small

Tree 3m to 4m

Shrub 25cm to 50cm

Perennial/ground cover Up to 10cm

Bulb 10cm to 20cm

Succulent Up to 5cm

Position

Canopy Shade Canopy shade is found below closely grown trees where some light filters through. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Deciduous to Semi-deciduous In warmer areas a deciduous plant may not lose its leaves during winter at all, or may lose its leaves for a very brief period, or may only lose part of its foliage.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate The plant is moderately adapted to arid conditions and can survive short periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Frost: Half-hardy The plant is able to survive low temperatures and some frost but requires protection against severe frost.
Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.

Specific Information

Dombeya burgessiae has large, velvety, lobed leaves which create a lush, tropical effect. It is versatile as it can be grown in shade, making it an effective shrub/tree for a water garden or mini-forest. In full flower the tree is covered by a blanket of pale pink. After flowering, the flowers turn golden brown, remaining on the tree for some time, and making an attractive display. Dombeya burgessiae is very fast growing and can reach full size in three years.

The specimen in the photos above does not do the tree justice as it is planted out of its ideal environment and has had to cope with minimal water, long droughts and high winds. If any one is able to add a picture of Dombeya burgessiae in its full glory, I would be most appreciative.

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Flowers

Description

dense clusters of five-pointed saucer-shaped petals

Season

Summer to Autumn Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

pink

Growth Rate

Very Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Attracts bees, butterflies or other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
Boundary A plant useful for planting around the edges of the property to form a green or colourful backdrop, an impenetrable hedge, to hide walls or create privacy.
Filler Either a fast growing tree or shrub used temporarily to fill in an area while the permanent plants grow to a desired size, or a plant used to fill gaps in borders or beds.
Foliage Plant Plants grown because their foliage is colorful or unique. Many of these plants have insignificant flowers.
Provides light / dappled shade A tree with an open to sparse canopy, through which varying degrees of sunlight can penetrate.
Suitable for smaller gardens Such plants do not have invasive root systems, remain small or controllable and can often be grown in containers.
Water Features These plants may have dramatic, lush foliage or graceful form. They do not shed excessive leaves and do not have invasive root systems.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Distribution and Habitat

from KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga and Limpopo, northwards to Tanzania, on forest margins, hillsides and slopes, and along stream banks

Planting Suggestions

Plant in full sun or light shade in garden soil to which compost has been added. Add fertilizer according to your soil needs if necessary.

The old method of digging a deep hole and filling it with soil and compost has resulted in many trees failing to thrive, dying, rotting at the base or worse still, falling over in later years due to poor root development. Refer to the following sites for the best method of planting trees:

Treehelp.com: Planting a tree

International Society of Arboriculture: New Tree Planting

Tree People: Plant the right way

For those of you who have a clay problem try:

Rod's Garden: Planting in clay soil

Medicinal Uses

No data found.

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Author: Lorraine Solomon