About
The Brachychiton acerifolius, commonly referred to as the Illawarra Flame Tree, is a tropical evergreen species that can grow up to 35 meters tall. This tree is distinguished by its large, terminal clusters of bowl-shaped, coral-red flowers, which can reach up to 2 centimeters in diameter and bloom in the summer. Following the flowering period, the tree develops leathery, glossy leaves that are bright green and typically palmate, measuring up to 20 centimeters in length with 3 to 5 lobes.
About the genus
Brachychiton comprises approximately 31 species of dome-forming trees or substantial shrubs, primarily found in Australia. Certain species feature thickened trunks, and the majority display clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of crimson, cream, or pink during the spring season.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Coastal, Sub-tropical
Care notes
- 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
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1; needs restrictive pruning under glass
- 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
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free