Plant Library

Other Names:  syn. Bergera koenigii

Description:

A small tropical to sub-tropical tree or shrub noted for its pungent aromatic leaves used in south asian cuisine; fragrant white flowers are followed by blue-black drupes; seeds are poisonous to eat; an attractive, exotic screen or accent tree

Ornamental Features

Curry Tree features showy clusters of fragrant white flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to mid summer. It has attractive forest green evergreen foliage. The fragrant oval pinnately compound leaves are highly ornamental and remain forest green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy black drupes displayed in early fall. The smooth dark brown bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Curry Tree is a multi-stemmed evergreen tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Curry Tree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Curry Tree will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.