BRACHYCHITON vinicolor (hybrid

Brachychiton 'Vinicolor' (Brachychiton acerifolius x discolor) crosses the Illawarra Flame Tree with the Queensland Lacebark and takes the better half of each. It settles at roughly 9m tall and 5m wide, noticeably more compact than a straight flame tree, and carries deep wine red bells rather than the familiar scarlet. The real advantage is timing: it flowers from a young age instead of making you wait a decade.

Why you'll love it

• Wine red bells, and early. Darker burgundy than either parent, and it starts flowering years sooner than a seedling flame tree.
• A flame tree that fits a block. At about 9m by 5m it gives you the canopy without the scale of a mature acerifolius.
• Roots that behave. The root system is non-invasive, so it can go near a driveway or a paved edge without trouble later.
• Genuinely tough. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant and salt tolerant once established, which covers most warm Australian gardens.
• Native and bird attracting. Honeyeaters and lorikeets work the flowers through the flush.

Where it works best

Shade tree. One tree in an open lawn is the classic use. Allow 5m of clear width and keep it 4m from the house.

Driveways and avenues. Set trees 6m to 8m apart along a drive. That lets each crown fill out and still reads as a line at maturity.

Feature planting. It sheds foliage ahead of flowering, so the bells sit on bare branches and carry from the far end of a garden.

Growing Brachychiton 'Vinicolor' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, with room overhead. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and arid or semi-arid gardens. It takes light frost only, so cold inland districts, the tablelands and hard frosting southern gardens should look elsewhere. Young trees are the most vulnerable and want shelter through their first two winters.

Soil. Drainage matters more than soil type. On heavy clay, plant on a raised mound and open the bed with compost and gypsum. Mulch 75mm deep, kept back from the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers, then taper right off. A low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring is all the feeding it needs.

Pruning. Very little. Shape the leader while the tree is young, and lift the lowest limbs for clearance under the canopy.

What to expect when it arrives

This one is sold ex ground, grown in the field and lifted at 4.5m to 5m of height. You are buying an established tree with a formed trunk and real presence on day one.

Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, with specialist transport quoted where access is tight, so have the hole and the machinery ready before it lands. Expect a season where the tree puts its energy into new roots rather than top growth, then strong extension from the second spring. Delivered Australia wide, and covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the rest of the ex ground tree range.
• Compare sizes across our advanced trees.
• Read up on transplanting trees and shrubs successfully.
• See more Australian native trees.

Common questions

How big will it actually get?

Around 9m tall and 5m wide. That is well short of a mature Illawarra Flame Tree, which is why the hybrid works on blocks where the straight species does not.

Does it lose its leaves?

Yes. It drops foliage ahead of flowering, which is what puts the wine red bells on show against bare wood. Leaves return with the growth flush afterwards.

Will the roots lift paving?

The roots are non-invasive, so this is one of the safer large trees near hard surfaces. Still leave about 2m of clearance from paths and slabs.

How cold can it take?

Light frost only, and preferably not until it is established. If your garden regularly drops below freezing overnight through winter, choose a hardier feature tree instead.