Bolusanthus speciosus stands out as our exceptional “Tree of the Year,” a true rarity in our landscape!

The Tree wisteria’s flowers are as beautiful as the Jacaranda’s, making it one of the most stunning native trees when it blooms. This tree can be found in many wooded grasslands across the Northern Province, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. It is known for being a good indicator of underground water.

This small to medium-sized tree is deciduous, it retains its leaves during winter. The leaves drop off for a short period in early spring. Although the tree is normally multi-stemmed, it can be pruned to form a single stem. Bolusanthus speciosus is characterized by a brownish-grey deeply fissured bark. Leaves, which are spirally arranged, are suspended from drooping branches. Each leaf has about three to seven leaflets and a terminal one. This tree only flowers for a short period [from August to January]. The flowers appear in long drooping bunches, blue, mauve to violet, scented, resembling those of a pea. After flowering, narrow, thin non-splitting brown pods that hang on the tree in clusters are produced.

This low-maintenance tree makes a beautiful focal point in a garden. It also serves as an elegant addition to urban streets, offering a remarkable spectacle when it blooms. Additionally, its root system is non-aggressive, making it suitable for urban environments. Moreover, it enjoys popularity among bonsai enthusiasts. While B. speciosus can withstand moderate frost, it’s advisable to provide protection to young plants during their initial few seasons.