Red Flowering Gum
Corymbia ficifolia · Evergreen, Broadleaf
Plant Family
Myrtaceae
Tree Category
Flowering, Ornamental, Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (though many grafted selections like 'Baby Orange' or 'Wildfire' exist)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 9-11; sensitive to hard frosts (below 25°F / -4°C).
About This Tree
A hardy, medium-sized evergreen tree with a dense, rounded canopy and spectacular terminal flower clusters. It has a stout trunk and spreading habit, often becoming as wide as it is tall.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, ovate to lanceolate, dark green above and paler below. Leaves are leathery (coriaceous), 7-15cm long, with an acute apex and a distinct mid-vein.
Bark Characteristics
Rough, fibrous, and persistent (non-shedding). It is brownish-grey and deeply fissured or 'tessellated' in texture, becoming more rugged with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southwestern Australia; widely naturalized and popular in Mediterranean climates like California and South Africa.
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen growth; peak flowering occurs in summer and autumn (December to May in Southern Hemisphere; June to September in Northern Hemisphere).
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun is required for best flowering. It has low to moderate water needs once established and is highly drought-tolerant and salt-spray tolerant.
Mature Size
Typically 25-40 feet (8-12m) tall and wide; growth rate is moderate; can live for 50-100+ years.
Special Characteristics
Renowned for its massive clusters of brilliant red, orange, or pink flowers (stamens). Produces large, woody 'honkey nut' fruit capsules. Highly resistant to coastal winds.
Wildlife & Ecology
Extremely high nectar production identifies it as a prime food source for bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding birds (like honeyeaters). The large woody seeds are often consumed by parrots.