Corymbia ficifolia (Red Flowering Gum)

Noted for its spectacular floral show, Corymbia ficifolia (Red Flowering Gum) is a moderately fast-growing evergreen tree boasting a profusion of bright flower clusters in summer, and sporadically throughout the year. The flowers come in a warm range of colors, including red, pink, orange, and white, and can be bicolor. They are so abundant that they almost hide the foliage. They attract small and large nectar-loving wildlife. The blossoms are followed by large urn-shaped fruits that are persistent for about one year before they drop to the ground. The thick evergreen foliage, 2-6 in. long (6-15 cm), is ovate-lanceolate, slightly glossy, dark green on the upper page, and pale green below. The brown-gray bark is rough and fissured longitudinally. Red Flowering Gum is one of the most widely cultivated of all eucalypts both in Australia and overseas. It is best suited to temperate areas with low summer rainfall and humidity. Resistant to drought, high temperatures, and pollution, it makes a beautiful flowering accent tree, street tree or shade tree. It can be used in groups or for barriers, also as a windbreak. Drought and salt spray tolerant, it is also a colorful addition to coastal gardens. Inflorescences and foliage are used in the floral arrangements.

• Grows up to 18-40 ft. tall (5-12 m) and 15-60 ft. wide (4-18 m). Adds 24 in. pear year (60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun to light shade in dry to moist, well-drained soils. Drought and salt tolerant.
• Easy to grow, easy to care for. Deer resistant.
• Resistant to Texas root rot and verticillium. Keep an eye out for invasive shot hole borer, beetle borers and thrips, armillaria, Phytophthora, and root rot.
• Propagate by seed. Will germinate in 2-4 weeks and will bloom starting from the seventh year of age, but the color is rarely the same as that of the mother plant. If you want a known color and height, it is best to get a grafted tree.
• Native to Western Australia.