Hymenosporum flavum
Australian frangipani
Overview
Hymenosporum flavum is an evergreen tree growing 25-50 feet (8-15 m) tall in cultivation and taller in rainforest, with a slender, upright form and tiered, somewhat open branching. The glossy dark green leaves are oval to elliptic, 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) long, clustered toward the branch tips. Tubular flowers about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across open in loose terminal clusters in spring; they emerge cream and age to deep yellow, often showing both colors in one cluster, and carry a strong sweet fragrance, especially in the evening. The fruit is a flattened, woody, pear-shaped capsule 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long that splits to release winged seeds. Growth is moderate to fast in warm, sheltered sites, and young trees are narrow before broadening with age. The form is open rather than dense, so it casts light shade. Frost and strong wind damage young growth.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from the rainforests of New South Wales and Queensland north into New Guinea. Grows in and along the margins of subtropical and tropical rainforest, in moist, fertile, well-drained soils in sheltered positions.Suggested Uses
Grown as a street tree, specimen tree, and screen in warm gardens and parks, spaced 10-20 feet (3-6 m) apart. The fragrant flowers and slender form suit courtyards, lawns, and narrow planting spaces. Used in rainforest and habitat plantings within its native range.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height25' - 50'
Width/Spread13' - 26'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from September to November, with peak bloom in spring. The cream-to-yellow flowers open over two to four weeks and are strongly scented, particularly in the evening. Flowering is heavier on trees grown in full sun than in shade.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream aging to deep yellowFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 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 moist, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade and in sheltered positions out of strong wind. Established trees handle short dry spells but grow slowly in dry or exposed sites and need steady moisture when young. Light frost damages new growth, so cold gardens limit the species to warm microclimates. A single deep watering during dry spells in the first two summers supports establishment. Few serious pests affect it, though scale and sooty mould appear on stressed plants. The open, narrow form suits planting where a slender tree is wanted.Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering to shape young trees and encourage branching, since the natural form is open and narrow. Tip pruning of young plants produces a fuller crown. Mature trees need little pruning beyond removal of dead or damaged wood.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons