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Exotic flowering trees of Tenerife |
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Written by Steve Andrews
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In Tenerife it is impossible not to be amazed by the beauty of the numerous flowering trees and there are species that bloom at every season of the year.
The Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) is a beautiful deciduous tropical tree that flowers in spring and early summer on Tenerife with sprays of lilac-blue blossoms followed by curious hard curved and woody seedpods. It also has incredible fine ferny leaves. In Australia this tree is so popular they hold Jacaranda festivals.
The Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata) is spectacular with its large bright red flowers that cover the tree and can be seen for much of the year.
Another red-flowered tree you cannot miss is the Flame Tree, Flame of the Forest, or Poinciana (Delonix regia), which is said by many to be the most beautiful of all the species cultivated on Tenerife. This species, which is often grown in parks, gardens and on roadsides, comes from Madagascar and flowers on Tenerife in early summer.
The Poinciana has ferny finely-cut leaves similar to the Jacaranda and after flowering they turn into long dark-coloured pods, which hang down and can be seen especially well in a Tenerife winter when it drops its leaves. The pods make a great sound if shaken like a rattle.
 The Dombeya or Pink Snowball (Dombeya X cayeuxii) has large amounts of the most beautiful flowers, which hang down and look very much like hydrangea flowers, earning a related species the name Tropical Hydrangea. The Pink Snowball is often grown in parks and gardens and on city streets of Tenerife and flowers in the winter months.
The Gorgeous Senna (Cassia spectabilis) is one of the most attractive exotic trees of Tenerife and has magnificent spikes of golden-yellow flowers that are seen on it in early winter, and is often planted in squares and at roadsides.
 The Bottlebrush (Callistemon speciosus) blooms in spring and early summer on Tenerife, and as its name suggests its blooms resemble small brushes of the type that might be used to clean inside a bottle. The colour is again an attractive red.
The Australian Umbrella Tree (Brassaia actinophylla) has large evergreen leaves that are displayed like umbrellas and curious spikes of reddish flowers that are carried above the foliage in late summer and autumn on Tenerife.
The Orchid Tree (Bauhinia variegata) flowers in late winter and early spring with its very beautiful purple, lavender and white blooms. It is often grown in squares and along roadsides of Tenerife. After flowering the Orchid Tree carries seedpods that hang from its twigs and branches.
The Grevillea or Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) has golden-yellow flowers that are very spectacular when in bloom on Tenerife and may cover the tree in colour. It has ferny leaves too and is often grown as a houseplant when small because of this. The Silky Oak flowers in spring.
 The Jerusalem Thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata) is an exotic tree planted in Tenerife for its ornamental qualities in both flower and leaf. The Jerusalem Thorn flowers in spring with attractive yellow flowers that contrast with its incredibly delicate foliage and green trunk and branches.
The trees detailed here are just some of the main exotic species grown on Tenerife for their flowers and appearance. There are many more types of flowering trees as well as whole range of palms, of evergreen fig trees and other species that are grown for their fruit.
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Tenerife Island