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Brachychiton discolor (Pink flame tree)

Other names: Hat tree, Queensland lacebark, Lacebark tree, Queensland pink flame tree, Clompanus discolor, Sterculia discolor, Brachychiton paradoxus var. discolor, Brachychiton paradoxus subsp. discolor

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Species
B. discolor is a half-hardy, erect, deciduous to semi-evergreen tree with a bottle-shaped trunk, furrowed, gray bark, and velvety, broadly ovate, lobed, mid- to blue-green leaves, white-woolly beneath. After the leaves drop, dense, panicle-like cymes of bell-shaped, pink or red flowers from early summer into autumn are followed by canoe-shaped, yellow-brown pods, splitting when ripe to reveal, yellow, kernel-like seeds.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
30 m 15 m 20-50 years
98 ft 49 ft 20-50 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
  • Clay
  • Chalky
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, grow in fertile, well-drained or moist but well-drained, preferably neutral to acid soil in full sun. Mulch and feed in spring. Tolerates a range of soil conditions as long as it is well-drained. Tolerates drought, heat, and light frost. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added sharp sand in full light. In growth, water moderately & feed monthly. Pot on or top dress in spring.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Mediterranean, City, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Greenhouse, Specimen tree, Bees (attract & feed bees), Wildlife, Sub-Tropical, Conservatory

UK hardiness

H3

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11, Zone 12

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Inappropriate
Central Valley = Inappropriate
South Coastal = Low
South Inland = Low
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Moderate/Medium

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Erect

Native to

Eastern Australia

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Though not toxic, seeds are hairy and may irritate skin. Wear gloves when handling.

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Will need restrictive pruning under glass.

Propagation methods

Seed, Hardwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings, Grafting

Propagation

Sow seed at 16-18C (61-64F) as soon as ripe. Trees grown from seed may take many years to flower.

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Selective pruning only (only if needed)

Take hardwood cuttings in autumn and winter

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Protect from cold drying winds (in cold areas)

Protect from hard winter frosts

Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Bring tender indoors if container grown (in cold areas)

Take semi-ripe cuttings

Sow seeds in containers with heat (spring)

Apply a balanced fertiliser in the spring

Mulch with leaf mould or garden compost in spring (optional)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (4)

Brachychiton

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Brachychiton rupestris
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Brachychiton rupestris Australian barrel tree
Brachychiton populneus
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Brachychiton populneus Kurrajong
Brachychiton bidwillii
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Brachychiton bidwillii Little kurrajong
Brachychiton discolor
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Brachychiton discolor Pink flame tree
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Companion plants (0)

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