Changes

{{Plantbox

{{Plantbox

| name = ''Dombeya wallichii''

| name = ''Dombeya wallichii''

| common_names = Tropical Hydrangea, Pink Ball Tree

| common_names = Pink Ball Tree

| growth_habit = [[Tree]]

| growth_habit = [[Shrub]] or small [[tree]]

| high = 12-15 ft (4-5m)

| high = 4-8 m

| wide =  

| wide =  

| origin = Madagascar

| origin = E Africa, Madagascar

| poisonous =  

| poisonous =  

| lifespan = [[Perennial]]

| lifespan = [[Perennial]]

| exposure = Full or Part Sun

| exposure = Full or part sun

| water = Regular/High

| water = Regular/High

| features = Flowers, Fragrance, Leaves

| features = Flowers, fragrance, leaves

| hardiness = 25F

| hardiness = 0 to 5°C

| bloom = Winter

| bloom = Winter

| usda_zones = 9-12

| usda_zones = 10-12

| sunset_zones =  

| sunset_zones =  

| color = IndianRed

| color = IndianRed

| image = Dombeya wallichii-IMG 6332 sd.jpg

| image = Dombeya wallichii-IMG 6332 sd.jpg

| image_width = 240px

| image_width = 240px

| image_caption = Tropical Hydrangea

| image_caption = ''Dombeya wallichii''

}}

The Tropical Hydrangea is a fast growing medium size tree that can be grown as a large shrub as well. As a tree it can grow to 15' in height but can be kept smaller by trimming. Dombeya wallichii looses its leaves in the winter only if the temperature falls to the low 20°s. The plant flowers are fragrant and come at the beginning of the year, lasting for over 1 month. The pink flowers are about an inch and a half across and can have bracts up to two and a half inches long.

|species = wallichii}}

''Dombeya wallichii'' is a fast growing shrub or small tree that can be grown as a large shrub as well. As a tree it can grow to 8 m in height but can be kept smaller by trimming. The leaves are evergreen, 16-20 cm long and 15-25 cm broad, with a 7-17 cm petiole. It looses its leaves in the winter only if the temperature falls below freezing. The flowers are fragrant and come at the beginning of the year, lasting for over 1 month. The pink flowers are about 3 cm across and can have bracts up to 6 cm long and 5 cm broad.

==Cultivation==

==Cultivation==

It likes full sun, plenty of water and fertilizer during the growing season. It is a strong grower and even though it is possible to grow it in a container for many years, it will perform better in the ground.

It likes full sun, plenty of water and fertilizer during the growing season. It is a strong grower and even though it is possible to grow it in a container for many years, it will perform better in the ground.

Old flowers remain a long time, and should be removed to keep a neat appearance.  Trimming should be done after the flowers are gone in the spring until mid September. You can trim as far back as necessary without harming the tree.  

Old flowers remain a long time, and should be removed to keep a neat appearance.  Trimming should be done after the flowers are gone in the spring until mid September. It can be trimmed as far back as necessary without harming the tree.  

===Propagation===

===Propagation===

You might want to try to divide your Tropical Hydrangea because the plant develops multiple canes that have a better chance of success than those that grow out of a single trunk as with a tree.

''Dombeya wallichii'' can benefit from being divided as the plant develops multiple canes that have a better chance of success than those that grow out of a single trunk as with a tree.

===Pests and diseases===

===Pests and diseases===

Image:Dombeya wallichii-IMG 6333 sd.jpg|  

Image:Dombeya wallichii-IMG 6333 sd.jpg|  

</gallery>

</gallery>

[[Category:Large plant]]  <!-- 120cm-3m/10ft -->

[[Category:Large plant]]  <!-- 120cm-3m/10ft -->

[[Category:USDA Zone 10]]

[[Category:USDA Zone 10]]

[[Category:USDA Zone 11]]

[[Category:USDA Zone 11]]

[[Category:USDA Zone 12]]

[[Category:USDA Zone 12]]