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Brachychiton acerifolius

flame kurrajong

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

Other common names
Illawarra flame tree
flame tree
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Orange Pink Red Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Malvaceae
Native to the UK
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 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

Get involved

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