Parkia biglandulosa - 10" Grow bag

Parkia biglandulosa, popularly called the Badminton Ball Tree, is a tall, fast-growing evergreen tree of the legume family. It is valued across Indian towns and cities as an avenue and shade tree, with a spreading umbrella-like crown and delicate, twice-compound fern-like foliage that casts light, dappled shade.

Its most striking feature is the flowering: long stalks hang down from the canopy bearing dense, spherical heads of tiny cream-to-pale-yellow flowers that resemble shuttlecock balls, giving the tree its common name. These are followed by clusters of long, dark, flattened pods.

Hardy and adaptable, it thrives in the warm plains of India, tolerating heat and a range of soils once established, which makes it a common choice for parks, roadsides, campuses and large gardens.

Specifications

Care guide

Uses

<ul><li>Popular avenue, roadside and campus shade tree across Indian cities.</li><li>Spreading crown provides cooling shade in parks, gardens and large open spaces.</li><li>Ornamental value from its unusual hanging ball-shaped flower heads.</li><li>Supports pollinators; flowers are visited by bees, birds and bats.</li></ul>

Growing tips

<p>Plant young saplings at the onset of the monsoon (June-July) so natural rainfall helps them establish without heavy watering.</p><p>Give the tree plenty of space away from buildings, drains and overhead lines, as it grows tall fast and develops a wide crown and strong root system.</p><p>Stake young trees in windy locations and water deeply through the first two summers; once established it largely fends for itself in the Indian climate.</p>