Other Names:  Flame Tree, Hybrid Coral Tree

Description:

A medium to large semi-deciduous tree with an upright, spreading habit and attractive. large green leaves; dazzling scarlet flower clusters begin in fall, but are most visible in late winter to spring when the leaves thin out; attracts hummingbirds

Ornamental Features

Australian Coral Tree features showy clusters of scarlet tubular flowers with orange overtones at the ends of the branches from late fall to early spring before the leaves. It has attractive dark green deciduous foliage. The large heart-shaped leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color. The furrowed khaki (brownish-green) bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Australian Coral Tree is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Australian Coral Tree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Australian Coral Tree will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 40 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant will benefit from an application of bonemeal and/or mycorrhizal fertilizer at the time of planting. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.