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Corymbia ficifolia 'Calypso'

About Your New Corymbia ficifolia 'Calypso'

Corymbia ficifolia 'Calypso' is a grafted Red Flowering Gum selection carrying deep pink flowers over summer. The canopy is rounded and dense, the leaves broad and dark, and the flowers sit in large clusters that birds work over for weeks. Older wood carries the smooth pale bark typical of the flowering gums.

Give it full sun and soil that drains freely. Growth is around 40 to 60 centimetres a year. It is dry tolerant once established and suits coastal, warm temperate and subtropical areas. Frost is its weak point, so choose a frost free or sheltered position in cooler inland gardens.

It is used as a street tree, in avenue runs and as a single feature near a patio or driveway. On rural properties it holds up along the edge of a windbreak where birds are wanted. Underplant with native grasses and the canopy becomes the only thing you notice in the bed.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Corymbia ficifolia 'Calypso'

What is Corymbia ficifolia 'Calypso'?

It is a grafted selection of the Red Flowering Gum with deep pink summer flowers and a dense, rounded canopy. Broad dark leaves and smooth pale bark carry it through the rest of the year. Grafting keeps the flower colour true, which seedling grown flowering gums cannot guarantee from one tree to the next.

How big does it grow?

Usually 4 to 6 metres tall with a canopy of 3 to 4 metres in a garden setting. It is a small tree by gum standards and stays in scale with a suburban block. Growing conditions make the difference, with deeper soils and reliable water producing the taller trees.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun, without qualification. Flowering falls away quickly in shade and the canopy thins out. Give it an open position with sun for most of the day and room for air to move through the crown, which also keeps fungal leaf problems down in humid coastal areas.

Is it frost tolerant?

No, it is frost sensitive and does best in frost free or protected positions. Frost burns new growth and can take out developing flower buds. If your site gets regular winter frost, plant it where a building or established canopy holds warmth overnight, or grow it in a pot you can move.

Is it drought tolerant?

Yes. Once the roots are established it copes with extended dry periods and suits waterwise plantings. It still flowers better for the occasional deep soak through a hot dry summer. The first two years are the exception, when regular watering is what sets the tree up for the decades that follow.

When does it flower?

Through summer, generally December to February, with large clusters of deep pink flowers across the outside of the canopy. The display lasts several weeks and pulls in honeyeaters and lorikeets. Woody gumnuts follow and can be left on the tree or removed if you prefer a cleaner look.

How do I care for Corymbia ficifolia 'Calypso'?

Give it free draining soil and full sun, water deeply through establishment, and mulch well away from the trunk. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring. Prune lightly after flowering to keep the canopy balanced, and remove any growth below the graft. Avoid heavy summer pruning, which stresses the tree.

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Uses in my Garden

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

Corymbia ficifolia 'Calypso' 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.
  • Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
  • Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

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