‘Pink Cassia’ a Florida Favorite

Because Steven Tyler said it best back in 1997, “Pink is my favorite color.” And you can guess it—we are talking about how the Pink Cassia, formally known as Cassia Bakeriana, is rocking the Florida streets with its spectacular blooms.

Cassia Bakeriana trees in Florida

Native to the northern part of Thailand, the Cassia Bakeriana is labeled as a small to medium tree that typically reaches around 30 feet in height, with a wide-spreading crown holding long branches that create a distinctive form when it blooms. Its somewhat open and spreading canopy becomes particularly spectacular when adorned with its profuse pink blossoms.

The leaves of Cassia bakeriana are compound, meaning they consist of multiple leaflets arranged along a central stalk, or rachis. The bluish-green leaves are densely silky and hairy when young, arranged in 5-7 pairs of leaflets. They are naturally rounded at both ends with short tips. As the leaves mature, they develop short, velvety hairs below and lose their glands. Being a semi-deciduous flowering tree, the Cassia bakeriana in South Florida sheds all its leaves just in time for spring, when its flowering season begins.

Pink cassia bakeriana in South Florida

With the showiest display of fragrant pink-purple flowers with yellow stamens, the cassia tree showcases its pink flowers. Exhibiting upright, unbranched clusters of individual stalks measuring 10–20 cm, the pink blooms gradually fade to almost white. Each flower measures around 3 to 4.5 cm and features 3 yellow stamens in the middle, attracting bees and butterflies. Large bean-like seed pods also appear after the flowers, with each pod (up to 16” long) containing 30–40 seeds.

This cassia tree was introduced approximately 20 years ago to Florida, where it has gradually earned popularity among landscapers and gardeners. Its adaptation to the region’s tropical climate has made it an ideal candidate for many landscaping projects. Characteristics like thriving in full sun make the Cassia bakeriana a perfect match for South Florida and a go-to choice for gardens and parks across the state.

Moreover, what is particularly appealing about this cassia tree with its pink flowers is its low-maintenance nature. Requiring little more than ample sunlight and well-draining soil to flourish, it stands out as an easy-to-care-for option. With resilience that extends beyond its environmental preferences, the Cassia Bakeriana in South Florida exhibits a fast-growing habit, allowing for rapid establishment and growth in various landscape settings.

Additionally, this tree features moderate drought tolerance, making it well-suited to Florida’s weather patterns, further enhancing its appeal as a landscaping choice. Plus, its somewhat flexible branches lend it resilience to the harsh winds common in Florida’s coastal regions.

Cassia bakeriana landscape applications in South florida

The Cassia bakeriana tree’s pink flowers and showy flowering habit, along with its usual small to medium-size shape, make it a great candidate for a series of landscape applications, especially in South Florida. Naturally, it serves as a great focal point in any design due to its striking pink flowers. Placing it strategically will draw attention and create visual interest.

Moreover, while in bloom, the pink cassia features an elegant and graceful form, with its branches adorned with clusters of large, showy, and vibrant pink flowers. The tree’s spreading canopy and open branching pattern create an alluring silhouette that adds character, especially when viewed from a distance. Depending on the surrounding landscape design, the vibrant pink flowers of the cassia tree will create striking contrasts with nearby elements, such as green foliage, other flowering plants, or hardscape features, thus creating a sense of balance within the overall landscape composition.

Additionally, Cassia bakeriana can be planted along streets and roadsides to enhance urban areas. In South Florida, it has become a prominent element, and you can enjoy it in various public open spaces such as civic centers like Regatta Park and the Metro Zoo Miami, for example. As a street tree, we highly recommend planting them in groupings of 2 or 3 to ensure a breathtaking spectacle when blooming commences.

Cassia bakeriana tree and its pink flowers blooming

Moreover, its seasonal blooming adds a dynamic element to landscapes, with the burst of color being a highlight during the blooming season, and its flowers attract butterflies, bees, and birds, making the Pink Cassia a great choice for butterfly gardens or bird-watching areas. It has become a favorite for residential landscaping areas, but it’s also quite in demand for street linings or avenues due to its uniform growth and beautiful canopy.

Cultivation tips

In order to ensure its health and vibrant blooming, some key practices are recommended for Cassia trees in Florida. For example, choose a location that receives full sun, as the Pink Cassia thrives in bright, direct sunlight, which is essential for optimal flowering.And while the tree adapts well to various soil types, it does best in soil that allows for good water drainage.

Remember to apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring and again in mid-summer to support healthy growth and flowering. Avoid over-fertilization, which can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

Prune the Pink Cassia, preferably in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins to maintain a desirable shape, remove any dead or damaged branches, and encourage fuller growth and more flowers. Mulching is also a good option; apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain soil moisture and regulate its temperature.

Finally, monitor the tree regularly for signs of pests or diseases, although Cassia bakeriana is known for its adaptability and general resistance to pests and diseases.

Cassia trees in Florida at TreeWorld Wholesale

And although we love our pink-blooming Cassia tree, we also need to mention other notable Cassia trees in Florida. Cassia Javanica, also known by the name pitch apple blossom, known for its clusters of aromatic flowers. In yellow to golden yellow flowers, the Cassia Fistula has impressive festive blooming chains, and the Cassia x Nealiae (Rainbow Cassia) tree is a natural hybrid between the Cassia Fistula and Cassia Javanica.

TreeWorld Wholesale availability

Find them all at our headquarters in Homestead, Florida, in our regular sizes of 25, 45, 65, 100, 200, and 300 gallons. We have quite a varied selection of Cassia trees at your disposal for you to choose from, so please contact us or call us at (305) 968-2427 if you have further questions.

And if you need to check out our specifications charts for the Cassia bakeriana, click here.

But finally, if you’re interested in other Cassias don’t forget that at Treeworld we have a wide selection of them. Such as Apple Blossom Tree (Cassia Javanica), Coral Shower Tree (Cassia Grandis), Rainbow Shower Tree (Cassia X Nealiae), Golden Shower Tree (Cassia Fistula), and Cassia Leptophylla (Gold Medallion Tree).