Brachychiton acerifolius

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flame kurrajong

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Other common names

Illawarra flame tree, flame tree

Trees
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A open-branched tropical evergreen tree ultimately reaching 35m in height. Aptly named the Illawarra Flame Tree, due to the large, terminal panicles of bowl-shaped coral-red flowers to 2cm across, produced in summer before the leathery, glossy, bright green, usually palmate leaves to 20cm long, with 3 to 5-lobes appear

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Brachychiton is a genus of around 31 species of dome-shaped trees or large shrubs, native to mainly Australia. Some have large, swollen trunks and most produce masses of bell-shaped crimson, cream or pink flowers in the spring
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in frost-free climates only; or grow in a container of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added sharp sand in full light in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory

Propagation

Propagate by seed as soon as ripe with heat in a propagator, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or hardwood cuttings in early autumn with bottom heat in a propagator

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Sub-tropical
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 1; needs restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free