Enchanting: A beautiful sight under blooming rosy trumpet trees. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp |
by Ngọc Diệp
HCM CITY — Thousands of bright pink flowers of rosy trumpet trees have bloomed along many HCM City streets recently, attracting photographers and lovers of beauty.
As part of the city’s pilot project since 2009, the rosy trumpet trees have been planted along Điện Biên Phủ Street in Bình Thạnh District, Võ Thị Sáu Street in District 3, Công Lý Bridge in Phú Nhuận District, and a section of Võ Văn Kiệt Boulevard in District 1.
Full bloom: A section of Võ Văn Kiệt Boulevard in HCM City’s District 1 is full of rosy trumpet flowers. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp |
The rosy trumpet tree, also called pink poui or tabebuia rosea, is from the tropical Americas region and is the national tree of El Salvador. It can grow up to 30 metres high.
It is often planted along streets and in parks and gardens. In the rainy season, it offers great shade, and in the dry season, abundant flowers are present on the defoliated trees.
Musical flowers: Bright pink flowers on the trees are shaped like a trumpet. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp |
The tree can grow in either full sun or partial shade on any reasonably fertile soil with moderate moisture.
When blooming, the pink-coloured flowers, so named because they are shaped like a trumpet, become a wonderful sight in the city.
Urban beauty: Many streets in HCM City are now lined with pink flowers. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp |
Blooming occurs after the trees shed their leaves, with flowers lasting several days until they begin to wilt. Flowering continues for around two months.
Tough: Even in the heat of summer in HCM City, the pink flowers on rosy trumpet trees retain their shape. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp |
Flowering is often induced by a dry spell, occurring usually from April to June in HCM City.
Bright city: Rosy trumpet trees in bloom in HCM City. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp |
The five-petal flower is 5-8cm long. Colours are in tones of pink, rose and purple. — VNS