Overview
Dais cotinifolia is a small, but relatively fast-growing tree reaching up to 6 m in height, making it perfect for small gardens or street trees. In early summer the Pompon tree transforms into a spectacular sight of soft pink flower balls, resembling lollypops. Once established, it is fairly drought resistant and also hardy to frost. In its natural environment, you'll find these trees mostly growing in the eastern part of South Africa near hills and in stony kloofs. When considering conditions for growing a Pompon, find a sunny position, ensure the planting hole is large enough and well-prepared with lots of compost and bonemeal. Water it well until it has become established. It's semi-deciduous - in colder climates, it can start to lose its leaves in autumn and in warmer climates, it will only lose its leaves for a very short period of time at the end of winter. The Pompon grows relatively easily from seed and in fact, has a tendency to self-seed in the garden. There are only two species in this genus and name Dais comes from 'torch' in Greek and refers to the way the bracts extend with their blooms looking as if they are about to be lit up. ZA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga.