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Xanthostemon spp.
golden penda
Australia, Malesia, and New Caledonia
Overview
Xanthostemon spp. is a genus of about 45 evergreen trees and shrubs in the myrtle family, native to tropical Australia, the islands of Malesia, and New Caledonia. Plants range from small shrubs to forest trees 5-30 m (16-100 ft) tall, with glossy, leathery leaves clustered toward the branch tips and reddish or bronze new growth. The flowers are massed in dense rounded clusters and are crowded with long stamens that give each head a fluffy look, and reach their fullest development in X. chrysanthus, the golden penda, whose bright golden-yellow flowers cover the crown. Other species bear white, cream, or red flowers. Flowering is heaviest in late summer through winter, and the nectar-rich heads draw birds and insects. Most species grow in rainforest, along streams, and in moist open forest on free-draining soils, and the timber of several is dense and hard. The genus is frost-tender and is grown outdoors only in tropical and warm subtropical climates, or as a young container plant elsewhere. Growth is upright with a dense, rounded crown. Wet feet, heavy frost, and prolonged cold all limit it, and flowering is reduced in deep shade.
Native Range
The genus is native to northern and northeastern Australia, especially Queensland, and extends through New Guinea and the islands of Malesia to New Caledonia, a centre of diversity for the group. Species grow in tropical rainforest, gallery forest along streams, and moist open woodland. X. chrysanthus comes from the rainforests of northern Queensland.Suggested Uses
Used as a feature, street, and shade tree in tropical and subtropical gardens and parks, and as a flowering specimen for warm climates. The nectar-rich flowers suit bird-attracting and pollinator plantings. Young plants are grown in large containers and trained as small trees or screens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height16' - 100'
Width/Spread10' - 30'
Bloom Information
Flowering is heaviest from late summer through autumn and winter, and some trees flower more than once a year in warm climates. The dense clusters of long-stamened flowers open over several weeks and are rich in nectar. Hard woody capsules follow and persist on the branches.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
golden-yellow, or white to red in some speciesFoliage Description
glossy dark green, bronze when youngGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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 light shade on moist, free-draining loamy or clay soils with steady moisture, matching their rainforest and streamside origins. Regular water and a warm, frost-free position support strong growth and flowering, while frost, prolonged cold, and waterlogged ground cause damage. The genus is grown outdoors only in tropical and warm subtropical zones, or under glass in cooler areas. A mulch and occasional feeding suit container and young plants. Flowering is heavier in full sun than in shade. Few serious pests occur, though scale and sooty mould can appear on stressed plants.Pruning
Light pruning after flowering shapes the crown and keeps growth dense, and tip pruning of young plants encourages branching. Plants resprout from semi-hardwood, so moderate cutting back is tolerated. Lower branches are removed to train a single-trunked tree.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons