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Bottle Trees, Kurrajongs and Flame Trees

The brachychitons are some of Australia's most distinctive native trees. The Queensland Bottle Tree swells into a living sculpture, the Illawarra Flame Tree covers itself in scarlet bells, and the Kurrajong shades inland paddocks through the worst droughts. This range brings them together with the grafted hybrids that flower in pink and red while still young. All are tough, long lived and sparing with water. Choose by mature size and by how soon you want flowers. Delivered Australia wide.

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How to choose a brachychiton

For form, nothing matches the Queensland Bottle Tree. It grows slowly to about 8m and the trunk begins to bulge after five to eight years, which makes it a feature tree for entries and lawns. For flowers, the Illawarra Flame Tree is the classic: a 12m tree that drops its leaves in late spring and flowers red on bare branches. The Lacebark does the same in soft pink. The Kurrajong is the evergreen workhorse, a dense 12m shade tree for dry country.

Seed grown trees can take seven years or more to flower. If you want colour sooner, choose a grafted hybrid: Bella Pink at 5m, Bella Donna at 7m, Griffith Pink and Jerilderie Red at 8m, or the compact Magenta Bells at 4m. Grafted trees usually flower within two or three years of planting.

Where brachychitons work

Brachychiton suit most of mainland Australia. They store water in the trunk, so once established they ride out long dry spells, and they thrive in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and inland towns. The Kurrajong and Bottle Tree take moderate frost; the Flame Tree and Lacebark need protection from frost while young. All want full sun and good drainage. Use them as lawn specimens, street and driveway trees, or shade for stock. They sit among our Australian native trees and suit any list of feature trees.

Planting and spacing

Give large species 6m to 8m between trees and plant at least 4m from buildings and paving. Compact hybrids can be 3m to 4m apart. Dig a wide hole, plant level with the surrounding soil and water deeply once a week through the first summer. Avoid rich fertiliser at planting.

Care basics

These trees are close to self sufficient. Water during the first two summers, then only in extended drought. Feed lightly in spring with a native fertiliser. Prune only to remove low or crossing branches while the tree is young. Flame Trees flower best after a dry winter and spring, so hold back on watering in the cool months. Wear gloves when handling fallen seed pods, because the fine hairs inside irritate skin. There is more in our bottle tree growing guide.

Common questions

How long until a bottle tree gets its bottle shape?

The trunk starts to swell at around five to eight years and keeps thickening for decades. Full sun and good drainage speed it along.

Why has my flame tree not flowered?

Seed grown flame trees often wait seven to ten years, and they flower unevenly from year to year. A dry winter helps. Grafted hybrids are the answer if you want dependable flowers early.

Are brachychitons deciduous?

The Flame Tree and Lacebark drop some or all of their leaves just before flowering in late spring. The Kurrajong and Bottle Tree are evergreen in most seasons.

Are the roots invasive?

They are not known for damaging roots, but these are substantial trees, so keep them 4m or more from buildings and pipes.