A gorgeous, fast-growing tree which is technically in the pea family, Kentucky Coffeetree produces long panicles of beautiful greenish-white, lightly fragrant flowers (May-June), which, when pollinated on female plants, turn to tough woody pods containing seeds which were used by Native Americans and early settlers, both as a food source and to brew a coffee-like beverage (although the seeds are poisonous prior to roasting). Leaves turn yellow and drop early in the fall, and emerge blue-green to somewhat violet late in the spring. Tolerant of salt, a variety of soil types, and droughts once established, it also has almost no disease or insect pests, giving it a well-earned reputation for toughness. Bumble bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds all visit the flowers. Interestingly, although this tree is now rare and has no modern method of seed distribution, scientists hypothesize that its primary method of seed distribution may have once been American Mastodons or other Ice Age megafauna.

Dry To Moist
Sun To Part Shade
50-70 foot tall
Plant Hardiness Zones: 5b-8b
Tree
Deer Resistant

Native Range: ME south to GA, excluding VT, NH, RI, west to TX excluding LA, north to ND. Also native in Canada in southwest ON. Rare in MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MI, SD, WI and ON.

Kentucky Coffeetree - < 6 inch tall in a quart pot $17.75 (Temporarily Sold Out*)
Kentucky Coffeetree - 6-12 inch tall in a quart pot $18.25 (Temporarily Sold Out*)

*We normally carry this item but are temporarily sold out. We expect to have it available again as soon as our plants in production reach sufficient size/maturity or we harvest more seed. In some cases, plants may be recovering from caterpillar damage (Monarchs love our Milkweed), wind or hail damage, rampaging woodchucks, downed trees, or other natural issues. We are constantly updating our web site so please check back again.

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