The golden penda is one of the best flowering trees Australia has produced, and it is still under-planted outside Queensland. Xanthostemon chrysanthus carries dense heads of brilliant gold flowers against glossy dark foliage, holds its leaves year-round, stays a manageable size, and pulls in lorikeets and honeyeaters by the dozen. It is native to the rainforests of far north Queensland and it thrives in ordinary suburban gardens across the warm parts of the country.
Quick facts
| Detail | What to expect in Australia |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Xanthostemon chrysanthus |
| Origin | Native to far north Queensland rainforest |
| Mature size | 6-10 m in gardens, taller in the wild |
| Dwarf forms | 1.5-3 m |
| Position | Full sun for the best flowering |
| Soil | Free draining, enriched. Tolerates clay if not waterlogged |
| Flowering | Gold heads, mainly autumn, often flushing again |
| Frost | Tender when young. Light frost tolerated once established |
| Best climates | Brisbane, coastal NSW, Sydney, tropical Queensland, Darwin |
Why plant one
- The flowers are genuinely spectacular - dense rounded heads of gold stamens that cover the tree, mainly in autumn but often flushing at other times.
- It is evergreen, so unlike a jacaranda or poinciana it never stands bare.
- It is the right size for a suburban block at six to ten metres, rather than becoming a problem in a decade.
- Birds love it. Lorikeets, honeyeaters and native bees work the flowers heavily.
- Roots are well behaved compared with figs and poincianas, so it can go closer to a house.
- It is an Australian native, from Queensland rainforest, and supports local wildlife accordingly.
Which variety to plant
| Variety | Size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| X. chrysanthus | 6-10 m | Shade and feature tree, street planting |
| Fairhill Gold | 5-7 m | Heavier, more reliable flowering |
| Little Goldie | 2-3 m | Small gardens, large shrub or screen |
| Little Penda | 1.5-2 m | Courtyards, pots, low informal hedge |
Fairhill Gold is the selection to choose if flowering is the priority - it blooms more heavily and more dependably than the straight species. For a small garden, Little Goldie and Little Penda deliver the same flowers on a shrub-sized plant, which opens the species up to courtyards and pots.
Where it grows in Australia
- Tropical Queensland and Darwin - its natural climate. Fastest growth, heaviest flowering.
- Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coasts - excellent, and widely used as a street tree.
- Northern NSW - grows and flowers reliably.
- Sydney - good in a warm sheltered position, slightly slower and less floriferous.
- Perth - workable in a warm spot with reliable summer water.
- Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra - too cold for reliable performance. Young plants are frost tender and flowering is poor.
How to plant
- Plant in spring or early summer so it establishes in warm soil.
- Full sun. Flowering falls away markedly in shade.
- Enrich the soil with compost and ensure it drains. Golden penda tolerates clay but not waterlogging.
- Allow four to five metres of width for a full-size tree, or one to two for the dwarf forms.
- Shelter young plants from frost in cooler districts through their first two winters.
- Water deeply twice a week through the first two summers.
Ongoing care
Watering
Regular water for the first two years, then moderate. It comes from high-rainfall rainforest and flowers better with consistent moisture than under drought stress, though established trees cope with dry spells.
Feeding
Feed in early spring and again after flowering with a native-safe fertiliser. Golden penda is not as phosphorus-sensitive as the Proteaceae, but a low-phosphorus native blend is still the safe choice, and high-nitrogen fertiliser produces leaves at the expense of flowers.
Pruning
Prune straight after flowering. Tip pruning young plants builds a denser canopy, and the dwarf forms respond well to light shaping into an informal hedge. Avoid heavy pruning in winter.
Common problems and fixes
- Few or no flowers is usually too much shade, too much nitrogen, or a plant still too young - give it two or three seasons to settle.
- Yellowing leaves generally means poor drainage or an iron shortage in alkaline soil.
- Frost-marked growth in southern gardens indicates it is at the edge of its range. Prune damage in spring.
- Slow growth often means cold soil or too little water. It speeds up markedly in warmth.
- Scale and sooty mould occur in still humid positions. Treat with horticultural oil.
- Leaf drop in a dry spell is stress. Deep soak and mulch.
Using it in the garden
Golden penda works as a small shade tree over a seating area, a feature at the front of a house, or a street tree along a driveway. Because it holds its foliage year-round it also screens, which a deciduous flowering tree cannot do. The dwarf forms suit courtyards, large pots and informal low hedges where the flowers can be seen close up.
It sits naturally with other subtropical natives - lilly pilly, lomandra, dianella and tuckeroo - and the gold flowers read strongly against dark green foliage.
Frequently asked questions
Is golden penda an Australian native?
Yes. Xanthostemon chrysanthus grows naturally in the rainforests of far north Queensland and is widely planted as a street and garden tree throughout the warm parts of Australia.
How big does golden penda grow?
Six to ten metres in a garden, taller in its rainforest habitat. Dwarf selections such as Little Goldie and Little Penda stay between 1.5 and three metres, making the species usable in small gardens and pots.
When does golden penda flower?
Mainly in autumn, often with additional flushes through the year in warm climates. Fairhill Gold flowers more heavily and more reliably than the straight species.
Will golden penda grow in Melbourne or Sydney?
Sydney yes, in a warm sheltered position, though flowering is lighter than further north. Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra are too cold for a good result - young plants are frost tender and the tree never really performs.
Does golden penda have invasive roots?
No. The root system is well behaved compared with figs, poincianas and other large subtropical trees, which is why it is used as a street tree. Allow two to three metres from paving and pipes as normal practice.
Does it attract birds?
Very much so. The nectar-rich gold flower heads draw lorikeets, honeyeaters and native bees, and a flowering tree is usually busy with birds all day.
Ready to plant?
We grow golden penda from small plants through to advanced ex-ground specimens, plus the dwarf forms for small gardens. Browse our Australian native trees, or top flowering trees.
Related reading: top bird-attracting native plants and the best canopy trees for shade.
