Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' - Evergreen Trees Direct

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna'

Name: Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna'
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: BRACHPOPBELDON40cm/45L
Price: 300.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$300.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

9995 in stock

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1.2m - 1.6m Approx.

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 populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna'

Brachychiton 'Bella Donna' is a striking hybrid of Brachychiton populneus and Brachychiton acerifolius, combining the drought hardiness of Kurrajong with the eye-catching flower display of the Illawarra Flame Tree. This evergreen cultivar features a slender form, dense green foliage, and masses of pink to red bell-shaped flowers that appear from late spring.

Perfect for smaller gardens, streetscapes, or feature planting, 'Bella Donna' delivers year-round visual appeal with low maintenance requirements. Its upright structure and compact size make it ideal for urban landscapes or dry-climate planting schemes.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m - 12m Approximately

Mature Width: 5m – 10m

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' is expected to grow Approx. 50 – 80 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' frost tolerant?

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Brachychiton ‘Bella Donna’ produces abundant soft pink to rose-coloured bell-shaped flowers in late spring and summer. The blooms often appear in generous clusters, creating a showy, feminine seasonal display that sits beautifully against its lush green foliage.

Native Information

Is Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' an Australian Native? Yes

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' is Native to A cultivated Australian hybrid, bred from parents native to eastern Australia – Brachychiton populneus (Kurrajong, inland regions) and Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree, subtropical coastal forests).

Wildlife Value

Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, butterflies and native bees, while the canopy provides shelter for small birds. The seed pods also support insects and seed-eating wildlife, enhancing biodiversity in warm-climate and low-maintenance gardens.

Sunlight Information

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Brachychiton ‘Bella Donna’ performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may become stressed in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as it matures and develops outstanding drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Bella Donna Brachychiton

Genus: Brachychiton

Botanical Species: populneus x acerifolius

Family: Malvaceae

Botanical Name: Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna'

Landscape Uses

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

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant Brachychiton 'Bella Donna'

Location Selection: Choose a site with ample sunlight and well-draining soil.
Soil Preparation: It prefers well-draining soil, but is adaptable.
Digging: Dig a hole about twice the width of the root ball.
Planting: Place the tree in the hole, fill back with soil, and tamp down gently.
Initial Watering: Water thoroughly after planting.

Hedging & Screening: Not commonly used – upright and ornamental

Feature Tree: 4 m – 6 m – Stunning flowering hybrid suited to open lawn or courtyards

Avenue Planting Trees: 5 m – 7 m – Effective when used in symmetrical rows

Caring for Brachychiton 'Bella Donna'

Watering: Water regularly during initial years. Once established, reduce frequency.
Mulching: Apply organic mulch to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
Pruning: Light pruning to shape the tree and remove dead or damaged limbs.

Enhancing Soil for Robust Growth and Decorative Appeal

Ideal Drainage: Prefers well-drained soils.

Well-Draining Soil: Perfect for these hybrids, promoting healthy growth and resilience.

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

Sandy Soil: Ideal for its excellent drainage. Incorporate a slow-release, low-phosphorus fertilizer to enhance leaf and flower development.
Clay Soil: Can be made suitable with amendments. Improve with organic compost and sand to enhance structure and drainage.
Loamy Soil: Great for Brachychiton hybrids, providing balanced moisture and nutrients. Maintain with regular mulching and organic amendments.
Peaty Soil: Ensure good drainage by mixing in sand or gravel, creating an ideal environment for these trees.

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' is expected to grow Approx. 50 – 80 cm per year.

Medium 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)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Brachychiton ‘Bella Donna’ develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and maintains strong growth and flowering with minimal supplementary watering.

Flowering Information

Does Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Donna' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Bell-shaped

Flower Colour:

Pink

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does 'Bella Donna' flower? Annually, during the late spring to early summer months.
Is it suited for smaller gardens? Yes, its slender growth habit makes it ideal for limited spaces.
Can it handle hot temperatures? Being drought-hardy, it can tolerate heat, but ensure it receives adequate water during prolonged dry spells.