Tall eastern Australian native tree reaching 35 m, deciduous in dry seasons, that drops all its leaves in summer to reveal masses of brilliant scarlet bell flowers covering the bare branches.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 9–11 | −6.7 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H2 | 1 °C to 5 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 4–6 | 0 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Native to subtropical rainforest of eastern Australia from NSW Illawarra to Cape York
- Flowering is unpredictable — trees drop leaves and flower spectacularly only in certain years, often after dry winters; do not plant expecting reliable annual display
- Eventually a large tree — needs space, allow 15+ m in eventual height and width
- Pollinated in the wild by parrots and honeyeaters
- Not reliably hardy outdoors in Canada — Canadian zone values shown represent the system maximum and do not imply garden cultivation north of the warmest coastal pockets.
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Cross-check Illawarra flame tree against your zones