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Trees

Corymbia ficifolia

flowering gum

Tender evergreen tree about 6-15m depending on local conditions, with rough, dark greyish-brown bark, and ovate to broadly lance-shaped, mid to dark green leaves, paler beneath to 15cm long. From summer to autumn bears large clusters of 3-7 scarlet or flame-coloured flowers towards the ends of the branches followed by urn-shaped woody seed capsules

Other common names

red gum
red-flowering gum
see morescarlet-flowering gum

Synonyms

Eucalyptus ficifolia

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

Wider than 8 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Myrtaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: A genus of around 100 species of evergreen trees, native to Australia, with green foliage, peeling bark and masses of bright red, pink or orange flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: South Australia

How to grow

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, grow in neutral to acid soil that doesn't dry out, in full sun with shelter from wind; in frost-prone areas, grow in a cool or temperate greenhouse, in a mix of lime-free potting compost and grit, in full light with good ventilation. Water freely in spring and summer and apply a general fertiliser monthly, water sparingly in winter. See eucalyptus cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C in spring and summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse
Cut flowers

Pruning

Pruning group 1, or for the best display of juvenile foliage use Pruning group 7. May need restrictive pruning under glass. See Eucalyptus: pruning.

Pests

May be susceptible to eucalyptus gall wasp and eucalyptus sucker

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf and oedema

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