Pink Flamingo Peppermint Willow

Pink Flamingo Peppermint Willow (Agonis flexuosa 'Pink Flamingo') is a medium-sized Australian native tree grown for its foliage. New growth is pink and rosy purple, mature leaves are variegated cream and green, and every leaf smells of mint when crushed. It reaches about 6m high and 6m wide, carries small white flowers in spring and summer, and makes a native substitute for a willow.

Why you'll love it

• Foliage in three colours. Pink and rosy-purple new growth sits against cream and green older leaves, so the tree looks colourful without relying on flowers.
• Minty fragrance. Crush a leaf between your fingers and it smells of peppermint, which makes it a pleasure beside a path or seat.
• A native with wildlife appeal. The small white spring and summer flowers suit wildlife gardens and bring in pollinators.
• Uncommon in gardens. A variegated form of a well-loved native, so it stands apart from the usual street trees and shrubs.
• Takes clipping. It can be used for hedging and edging, not only as a free-standing tree.

Where it works best

Feature tree. Give it a sunny spot with room for a 6m spread. In full sun the pink and cream shading is brightest, and the soft foliage reads well against a dark fence or wall.

Hedging and edging. Plant 1.5m apart and clip two or three times a year for a coloured, fragrant hedge. Clipping keeps it well below its tree height.

Native and wildlife gardens. Mix it with grevilleas, bottlebrushes and native grasses for a planting that feeds insects and gives birds a place to perch.

Growing Pink Flamingo Peppermint Willow in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light or dappled shade, with the best colour in sunnier spots. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Protect young plants from frost.

Soil. Any well drained soil, especially sandy soil. Unlike many natives it prefers moist, well draining conditions, so avoid sites that bake dry or stay boggy.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep it watered through long dry spells. Feed with a slow release native fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Tip prune young plants to thicken them. As a hedge, clip after each flush of pink growth. As a tree, a light tidy of dead wood is all it needs.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pink Flamingo Peppermint Willow as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and as single 300mm pots. A tube is the economical way to plant a hedge or grove, while the 200mm and 300mm pots give a more developed plant for a feature position. Expect the pink new growth to show once the plant settles in warm weather.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to create a great hedge and keep it looking sharp
• Browse Australian native trees
• More feature trees for the garden
• Designing a native garden to attract wildlife

Common questions

How big does it grow, and can I keep it smaller?

Left alone it reaches about 6m high and 6m wide. You can clip it as a hedge to keep it much smaller, or choose it as a single feature tree where it has room to spread.

Why is the pink fading to green?

The pink and rosy purple belongs to the new growth, and mature leaves settle to cream and green. Plants in more sun colour up brighter, and clipping or feeding in spring prompts fresh pink shoots.

Does it need a lot of water?

It prefers moist but well drained soil, so it likes regular water while it establishes and in dry weather. Mulch the roots to hold moisture, and avoid planting it where water pools.