One of South Africa’s beautiful indigenous trees, Dais cotinifolia is an unforgettable sight from November to December when it is covered in a cloud of soft pink pompons. The flower buds look like tiny lollipops, with round heads on slender stems at the ends of the branches. As the buds open, they reveal clusters of small tubular flowers. Rich in nectar, the blooms attract bees, butterflies and many other pollinating insects.

This fast-growing tree has a neat, upright shape and a rounded, leafy crown. The mature crown spreads 3–5 m, providing light shade and excellent seasonal colour. The leaves are smooth and bright green with a slight bluish tint. The bark is an attractive greyish-brown. It is exceptionally tough and fibrous and has traditionally been used to make strong rope in rural communities. After flowering, decorative brown seed heads remain on the tree for several months. They are often used in dried flower arrangements.

The Pompon Tree is easy to grow and adapts well to a wide range of conditions. Once established, it is fairly drought tolerant and withstands moderate frost. In colder parts of South Africa, it loses its leaves during winter. In milder areas it remains leafy for most of the year, shedding its leaves only briefly before fresh spring growth appears.

Because of its non-invasive root system, Dais cotinifolia is ideal for smaller gardens and courtyards. It can be planted near paving, along driveways and streets, or in large containers where space allows. It also makes a striking specimen tree on a lawn or a colourful avenue tree. In larger landscapes, it combines beautifully with other indigenous species. Its spectacular summer flowers also make it an excellent indigenous alternative to the exotic Lagerstroemia indica (Pride of India).