Cassia Marginata, Rose Shower - 0.5 kg Seeds

Rose Shower or Red Cassia (Cassia marginata, also known as Cassia roxburghii) is a small-to-medium evergreen-to-deciduous tree with a dense, rounded crown that bursts into clusters of pink to coral-red flowers, mostly after the monsoon. Its rich flowering, neat form and fine pinnate foliage make it a favourite for avenues, parks and medium-sized gardens.

Native to India and Sri Lanka, it is found and planted through the plains and drier tracts of the country, tolerating heat and a range of well-drained soils. It is grown chiefly as a flowering ornamental and shade tree, and is a good choice for roadside and landscape planting in warm regions.

• Family: Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae)
• Native region: India and Sri Lanka
• Mature height: 8-12 m
• Growth rate: Moderate

The seeds sit in hard, cylindrical pods and have a tough coat, so give them a hot-water treatment and soak for 24 hours, or scarify them, before sowing. Sow about 1-2 cm deep in bags or trays of well-drained mix in summer or with the monsoon; germination usually takes 2-3 weeks. Raise the seedlings in bags and plant them out during the rainy season.