Pronunciation // I don’t know how I found it, and I’m a bit unnerved that it bears such a close resemblance to dastardly tree of heaven, but this much I do know: Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’ is a tree, and it’s pink. It’s big, it’s bad, and it’s pink. And that makes it badass.
It is also known, fabulously, as toon tree. If that doesn’t make you want to run right out and buy one (if you can find it), I don’t know what will. Hardy to Zone 5, from what I gather they’re pretty easy to come by in New Zealand, and I’ve found them for purchase on European sites. One grows someplace at RHS Wisley, so keep an eye out for it in spring if you visit, as foliage ages from pink to green through the growing season.
According to Wikipedia, young species toon foliage is valued for salad in its native China and has an oniony flavor. I’m not sure you’d want to harvest ‘Flamingo,’ but I bet it’d be great for punk cooking. Wood of the species is used for furniture, commonly called Chinese cedar or Chinese mahogany. It also goes by Cedrela sinensis in Latin, and I believe it may be an invasive species in California.
Toona is a member of the family Meliaceae, the mahogany family, along with the chinaberry tree Melia, an invasive species I have loved, and Swietenia, the true mahogany used to make furniture I’m sure we’ve all loved.
Here’s a dreamy slideshow of Toona photos on Flickr you won’t want to miss →
Huge thanks to Flickr user Tony Rodd for providing the photo here and many of your terrific plant photos for use under Creative Commons.
{ 11 comments }
I FREAKING LOVE IT!! But you say it cannot be found in the U.S.? Soooooo, maybe someone should make a procurement trip to New Zealand?
Hey Stephanie – Seriously! I nominate you do to that. You don’t mind, right?
Do we have some Zonage for this plant? Imagine this tree with a deep, deep blue clematis trained through it. Luscious AND badass.
Ooh ooh! We TOTALLY do! I should’ve mentioned that: hardy to Zone 5, baby. Sounds like a luscious, badass combo in the works to me.
Nice pics, AK! Especially the one looking at the garden from afar…with the glowing pink tree stealing the show! You can tell that us Californians are especially interested in this tree (I can hear the gears in Susan M.’s head spinning now) since it might, possibly, with a hint of coddling, grow here….would a business trip to New Zealand be a write off for you? Will trade Toon for Succulents…..
My GOSH, that’s gorgeous! Love the pic from below. Dreamy…
Thanks, guys! @Rebecca, I get the sense it will definitely grow in Cali — think the species may be invasive in SoCal; not sure about NorCal. If it isn’t, you know, New Zealand is closer to you than me… ;-)
That totally looks like a pink Ailanthus, doesn’t it? Great slide show, glad I finally got to come over and visit your new blog, I like it, congratulations! I might just go write something on your FB wall now that I CAN! ;-}
Indeed you must! ;-) Thanks so much on the blog, and yes, thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
Whoa. We’ve got Toons but not THAT toon! Love. Want.
@Kris: So excited to see you commenting! I’ve enjoyed Blithewold’s blog for a while. I really have to get myself down there. Thanks for stopping by!
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