Corymbia ficifolia
red-flowering gum
Overview
Corymbia ficifolia is an evergreen tree in the Myrtaceae family reaching 15-50 feet (4.5-15 m) tall with a spreading, densely leafed crown, though grafted forms grown in gardens are often 10-20 feet (3-6 m). The bark is rough and fibrous over the trunk and larger branches. Leaves are lance-shaped to oval, 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long, dark green above and paler below. Flowers open in large branched clusters at the branch tips in summer, in shades of red, orange, pink, or white depending on the form, each cluster 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) across. The woody fruit are urn-shaped capsules 0.8-1.6 inches (2-4 cm) long that hold the seed and persist on the tree. Growth is moderate to rapid, reaching flowering size in 4-7 years from seed and 2-4 years for grafted plants. Seed-grown trees vary in flower color and form, while grafted plants come true to a chosen color. The species is sensitive to humid summers and root rot outside its dry Mediterranean native climate.
Native Range
Native to a small area of far southwestern Western Australia near Walpole and Denmark, where it grows in coastal heath and open forest on sandy, well-drained soils in a dry-summer Mediterranean climate. Widely planted as a street and garden tree well beyond this natural range.Suggested Uses
Planted as a street tree, shade tree, and feature tree in parks and large gardens in dry-summer climates, spaced 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m) from buildings and paving. The summer flowers draw nectar-feeding birds. The dropped woody capsules collect under the canopy and the surface roots can lift nearby paving.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height15' - 50'
Width/Spread15' - 40'
Reaches mature size in approximately 7 years
Bloom Information
Flowers in summer, roughly December to February in its native range and in southern hemisphere gardens. The clustered display lasts 4-8 weeks. Flowering is heaviest on trees in full sun and dry summer conditions, and is reduced in humid climates.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red, orange, pink, or whiteFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Grows in full sun on free-draining sandy or gravelly soil in a dry-summer climate. Water deeply but infrequently while establishing; mature trees tolerate extended dry periods. Humid, wet summers promote root rot from Phytophthora spp. and a leaf-spot fungus that causes defoliation. Grafted plants flower in a set color within 2-4 years, while seed-grown trees vary and take longer. Birds feed heavily at the flowers and scatter the fallen capsules below the canopy.Pruning
Light pruning after flowering shapes the crown and removes spent flower clusters and developing capsules. Formative pruning in the first few years builds a single clear trunk. Heavy cutting into bare wood regenerates slowly and can spoil the canopy shape.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall