Brachychiton acerifolius - Evergreen Trees Direct

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) - Evergreen Trees Direct

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree)

Name: Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree)
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 10000.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$10,000.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Size: 2000L

2000L 700L 100L 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

45L: 1.2m –2.7m Approx.
100L: 2m – 3.m Approx.
700L: 4m - 4.5m Approx.
2000L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree)

Brachychiton acerifolius, known as the Illawarra Flame Tree, is a stunning Australian native admired for its brilliant scarlet flowers that cover the tree in late spring to early summer. Just before flowering, it typically sheds most or all of its glossy green foliage, creating a striking contrast that makes the red blooms even more eye-catching.

This deciduous tree develops a broad crown and upright structure, reaching 15–25 metres tall. Its lush, lobed leaves provide shade through the warmer months, and its dramatic seasonal display makes it an excellent choice as a feature tree in larger gardens or native landscapes.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 5m – 10m

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is expected to grow Approx. 50 – 100 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) frost tolerant?

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Flowering Information

Brachychiton acerifolius produces masses of brilliant scarlet bell-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer, often appearing on bare branches before the new leaves. These spectacular blooms create a dramatic, flame-red display that makes the tree one of Australia’s most iconic flowering species.

Native Information

Is Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) an Australian Native? Yes

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is Native to Eastern Australia, from the Illawarra region of New South Wales north into Queensland, where it grows in coastal rainforests and along river valleys.

Wildlife Value

Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, lorikeets, butterflies and native bees, while the dense canopy offers shelter for small birds. The seed pods also provide habitat and food for insects, contributing to a biodiverse and resilient garden ecosystem.

Sunlight Information

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Brachychiton acerifolius performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It can struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as the tree matures and shows its characteristic high drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Bella Pink Hybrid Flame Tree

Genus: Brachychiton

Botanical Species: acerifolius

Family: Malvaceae

Botanical Name: Brachychiton acerifolius

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Rural Property Planting
Avenue Planting
Council or Civic Landscapes
Street Tree

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant Brachychiton acerifolius

Location Selection: Choose an area with ample sunlight and good drainage.
Soil Preparation: Though adaptable, prefers well-drained soil.
Digging: Prepare a hole roughly twice the width of the root ball.
Planting: Position the tree in the hole, fill with soil, and gently compact.
Initial Watering: Ensure the soil stays moist, particularly right after planting.

Hedging & Screening:Not used – grows large and wide

Feature Tree: 6 m – 10 m – Needs ample space to showcase vibrant red blooms

Avenue Planting Trees:8 m – 10 m – Makes a bold statement in long street plantings

Caring for Brachychiton acerifolius

Watering: Water consistently, especially during drier spells, until established.
Mulching: Use organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Pruning: Prune sparingly to maintain shape and remove unwanted growth.

Optimizing Soil for Stunning Floral Displays

Ideal Drainage: Brachychiton acerifolius thrives best in well-drained soil.

Well-Draining Soil: This soil type is excellent, allowing for optimal growth and spectacular flowering.

If you have the following soil, here are some tips for you:

Sandy Soil: Great for drainage, which is ideal. Enhance with organic compost to increase fertility and support vibrant blooms.
Clay Soil: Although challenging, it can support growth with proper amendments. Mix in plenty of gypsum and organic matter to improve drainage and aeration.
Loamy Soil: An excellent choice for the Flame Tree, providing both good drainage and nutrient retention. Enrich with compost to ensure sustained health.
Peaty Soil: Rich in organic matter; just ensure adequate drainage with the addition of sand or perlite to prevent waterlogging.

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is expected to grow Approx. 50 – 100 cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate
Fast Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Inland QLD (Darling Downs, Central QLD)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Sydney & Central Coast
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Brachychiton acerifolius develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and maintains its strong structure and seasonal performance with minimal supplementary watering.

Flowering Information

Does Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Bell-shaped

Flower Colour:

Red

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I expect the red blooms? The vibrant scarlet flowers typically emerge in late spring to early summer.
How can I enhance its flowering? Keeping it in full sun and ensuring good soil health can boost its flowering potential.
Is it suitable for smaller gardens? Given its height and spread, it's more suitable for larger garden spaces.