The most amazing Pink Cassia at Marian Academy!

Last week while driving along Carifesta Avenue, I saw the most amazing Cassia javanica commonly called Pink Cassia in bloom at Marian Academy. I must say it is a good specimen tree in Georgetown and Pink Cassia is a sight for sore eyes.

You can hardly find them around the city now; there is a sad looking one in the Promenade Garden towards Waterloo and New Market Streets. Years ago, a few were planted just outside Company Path Gardens. However, they are no more, replaced by the new parking lot of the NBS.

Yearly visitors who frequent Guyana used to look forward to taking photos of the lovely Pink Cassia in bloom. Apart from the tree on Carifesta Avenue they would be hard pressed to find any now. Maybe, someone can replant Pink Cassia outside the back gate of the Company Path Gardens opposite St George’s Cathedral so that they can still be enjoyed.

Garden (Peggy Chin)Pink Cassia is widely planted throughout the tropics and in many countries in the Caribbean. It originated in Java, Indonesia and comes from the Leguminosae family. Pink Cassia is also called Apple Blossom Cassia and it is related to the Yellow Cassia fistula.

If you would like to plant a Pink Cassia, you can do so by purchasing a small tree or try growing it by seeds.

Pink Cassia grows to a height of approximately 30 feet and has a wide spreading crown which provides shade like a canopy. In the months of April, May and June clusters of lovely pink flowers bloom.

Each flower has five petals, at first the flowers opens in shades of light pink then change to dark pink. Leaves are pinnate with obtuse leaflets.

A little maintenance by way of trimming off dead and overhanging branches is needed at least 2 to 3 times per year.

NB: With the heavy rainfall, lawns are becoming soggy and crying out for help. Please remember to spike your lawns and/or dig an extra drain so that the excess water can run off. Potted plants should be lifted higher and not left sitting in the flood water.

Until next week, Happy Gardening.