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Castanospermum australe (Black bean tree)

Other names: Moreton Bay chestnut, Australian chestnut

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Species
C. australe is a tender, open, spreading, evergreen tree with pinnate, oval to lance-shaped leaves divided into elliptic to oblong, glossy, slightly curved, dark green leaflets and racemes of orange, red, or yellow flowers from late spring to late summer followed by thick pods containing black 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 12 m 10-20 years
98 ft 39 ft 10-20 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, grow in fertile, deep, moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil in sun or partial shade. Do not allow to dry out. Tolerates short periods of temperatures at 0C (32F). Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Top-dress or pot on in early spring.

Suggested uses

Waterside, Specimen tree

UK hardiness

H2

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11, Zone 12

Sunset zone

18, 19, 20, 21, 22

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Spreading, Open branches

Native to

Australia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

Yes

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Typically needs restrictive pruning under glass.

Propagation methods

Seed

Propagation

Sow seed at 13-18C (55-64F) in early spring or when ripe in late autumn.

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Selective pruning only (only if needed)

Water regularly through dry periods

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Protect from hard winter frosts

Bring tender indoors if container grown (in cold areas)

Apply a fertiliser container grown plants regularly

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in containers with heat (spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (1)

Castanospermum

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Castanospermum australe
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Castanospermum australe Black bean tree
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Companion plants (4)

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Vinca minor 'Josefine'
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Vinca minor 'Josefine' Lesser periwinkle 'Josefine'
Vinca minor 'Evelyn'
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Vinca minor 'Evelyn' Lesser periwinkle 'Evelyn'
Vinca minor 'Colada'
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Vinca minor 'Colada' Lesser periwinkle 'Colada'
Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea'
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Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea' Dark purple-flowered periwinkle
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Related content

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