{"product_id":"fireball-asteromyrtus-asteromyrtus-brassii-fireball","title":"Fireball Asteromyrtus - Asteromyrtus brassii 'Fireball'","description":"\u003cp\u003eFireball Asteromyrtus (\u003cem\u003eAsteromyrtus brassii\u003c\/em\u003e 'Fireball') is a small, slender native tree from Cape York that grows to about 4m high and 3m wide. In winter and early spring it carries clusters of dense, deep red pompom flowers along its older branches, a burst of colour when most gardens are quiet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeep red winter flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The pompoms are larger, denser and darker red than those of the species form, and they open along the older branches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine, weeping foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Long green leaves give a soft, bottlebrush-like effect that contrasts well with broad-leaved shrubs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA manageable size.\u003c\/strong\u003e At up to 4m by 3m it fits suburban gardens where a full-size tree would be too much.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA wildlife plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nectar-rich flowers in the cooler months suit native and wildlife gardens, drawing in birds and insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandles humidity and dry spells.\u003c\/strong\u003e It tolerates humid conditions as well as dry ones once it has settled in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHedges and borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.5m apart for a loose, flowering hedge. At that spacing the canopies meet as the trees mature, while each one keeps its slender shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative and wildlife gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Combine it with grevilleas, callistemons and other nectar plants for flowers across the seasons and plenty of bird activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e One tree beside a path, window or entry puts the winter flowers where you can enjoy them close up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Fireball Asteromyrtus in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade suits it. Its home is tropical Cape York, so it is best in tropical and subtropical gardens, and it must be protected from frost. In cooler districts choose a warm, sheltered spot or grow it in a large pot that can be moved under cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil is the main requirement. Mulch over the root zone to hold moisture while the plant is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. After that it tolerates dry conditions. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring, using a native formula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e It needs little pruning. For a hedge, trim lightly after the flowers finish to keep the growth dense, and take only soft tips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Fireball Asteromyrtus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once planted into mulched, free draining soil. It arrives small, so it will not flower for a while, and a young plant benefits from a little protection from frost and wind in its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailability of tube stock depends on our grower. A sold out tube simply means none is on hand right now, and the notify button on this page sends you an email the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-native-trees\"\u003eAustralian native trees\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/callistemons\"\u003eCallistemons, a similar weeping bottlebrush look\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eHedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/top-bird-attracting-native-plants-for-australian-gardens\"\u003eTop bird attracting native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big will it get, and can I keep it smaller?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUp to about 4m high and 3m wide. If you grow it as a hedge you can hold it lower with light trimming just after flowering, which also keeps the foliage dense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in a cool southern garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt comes from tropical Cape York, so it needs protection from frost. In cold districts plant it in a sheltered, warm spot or grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen does it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn winter and early spring. The red pompoms appear in clusters along the older branches rather than at the branch tips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790205157695,"sku":"AST-BRA-FIREBA-tube","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/fireball-asteromyrtus-asteromyrtus-brassii-fireball.jpg?v=1792196201","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/fireball-asteromyrtus-asteromyrtus-brassii-fireball","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}