Kentucky coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size60 to 80 feet tall40 to 55 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- White , green , brown
- Foliage color
- Blue, brown/copper, green, pink
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, silt
- Soil pH
- Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Garden uses
Notes
Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is a tree for specimen planting, winter interest, rain gardens, and low maintenance landscapes. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to moist soil of most types. The huge twice-compound leaves give it a tropical look. They appear late in spring and drop early, so the bare, stout twigs show for much of the year. Pull occasional root suckers and prune in winter or early spring.
Pairs well with Spicebush, Sedge, Royal fern, and Brown-eyed Susan.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DE, and 28 more places. See all 32
AL, AR, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV; ON.