Ceratopetalum spp.
NSW christmas bush
Overview
Ceratopetalum spp. is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs in the family Cunoniaceae, native to eastern Australia and New Guinea. The genus includes C. gummiferum, the New South Wales Christmas bush, a shrub or small tree of 3 to 30 feet (1 to 9 m), and C. apetalum, coachwood, a forest tree reaching 60 feet (18 m) or more. Leaves are opposite, often divided into three toothed leaflets, glossy green and aromatic in some species. Small white flowers appear in branched clusters, each with four or five narrow petals or, in coachwood, none at all. The strongest colour comes after flowering, when the green calyx (sepals) of C. gummiferum enlarges and turns deep pink to red over several weeks, colouring the whole shrub during the southern summer around Christmas. The wood of C. apetalum is pale pink-brown and worked as a cabinet timber. Plants grow in moist, sheltered forests and along streams on sandstone and basalt soils. Growth is moderate, and the red sepal phase depends on warm conditions and good light.
Native Range
Ceratopetalum spp. is native to eastern Australia and New Guinea. C. gummiferum grows in coastal and near-coastal New South Wales, while C. apetalum (coachwood) occurs in moist forests and gullies from New South Wales into Queensland.Suggested Uses
Grown as a flowering shrub, screen, or small tree in mild gardens, and C. gummiferum is cut for the Australian Christmas trade for its red summer stems. Coachwood is grown as a shade and timber tree and in rainforest restoration.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 60'
Width/Spread6' - 25'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring, around October to November in Australia, with small white or cream flowers in branched clusters. In C. gummiferum the sepals then expand and redden from late spring into summer, around December, lasting several weeks. Coachwood flowers in late spring and produces tiny reddish fruits.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to cream; sepals turning pink to redFoliage Description
glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in full sun to part shade in moist, free-draining, slightly acidic soils enriched with organic matter, around pH 5.5 to 6.5. Even moisture suits them, especially while young, though established plants tolerate short dry spells. C. gummiferum colours most strongly in full sun with cool nights, while shade reduces the red sepal display. A sheltered position limits wind damage to the brittle branches. Light feeding after flowering supports the next season growth. Plants are frost-sensitive when young and grown under cover or in mild, frost-free climates.Pruning
Prune lightly straight after the red sepals fade to shape the plant and encourage bushy growth. Hard pruning into old wood is tolerated by C. gummiferum and used to keep it compact. Coachwood needs little pruning beyond removing damaged wood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons