Australian native trees with red flowers are some of the most striking additions you can bring to a garden. Not only do they add vibrant colour, but they also attract native wildlife like birds and pollinators, bringing life and movement to your outdoor space. In this blog, we will explore some of the most popular Australian trees with red flowers, each with its unique characteristics and appeal.
Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia)
The Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia) is one of the most iconic Australian trees known for its brilliant red blooms. Native to the southwest of Western Australia, this tree is widely admired for its stunning clusters of flowers that bloom in late summer and continue into early autumn. The Red Flowering Gum grows to about 8-10 meters in height, making it a manageable size for urban gardens while still offering the dramatic impact of a larger tree.
Characteristics
- Flower Colour: Bright red, with occasional pink or orange variants.
- Height: Typically grows up to 10 meters, though smaller cultivars are available.
- Attracts: Birds, especially nectar-feeding species like lorikeets and various pollinators.
Benefits
- This tree is highly drought-tolerant, making it perfect for dry Australian climates.
- Its bright red flowers create a stunning focal point in any garden or landscape.
- The Red Flowering Gum is hardy and adaptable, thriving in a variety of soil types.
Ideal Uses
The Red Flowering Gum is excellent for street planting, parks, or as a feature tree in home gardens. Its vibrant flowers provide a stunning display, and the tree’s compact size makes it suitable for smaller landscapes.
Telopea Gembrook Waratah Red
The Telopea Gembrook Waratah Red is a breathtaking Australian native that produces large, striking red flowers, typically in late spring. The Waratah is the floral emblem of New South Wales, and this particular variety, 'Gembrook,' is highly sought after for its brilliant red blooms and compact growth habit.
Characteristics
- Flower Colour: Intense red, with flowers growing up to 15cm in diameter.
- Height: Grows to around 2-3 meters, making it perfect for smaller gardens.
- Attracts: Birds and pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Benefits
- Telopea Gembrook Waratah Red thrives in well-drained soils and prefers cooler climates, making it a great addition to coastal and mountainous regions.
- The Waratah’s large, showy flowers are long-lasting and make excellent cut flowers for floral arrangements.
- Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller garden spaces, while still delivering an impressive floral display.
Ideal Uses
This tree is perfect for adding a burst of colour to a shaded garden or for use as a feature plant in a mixed shrubbery. It also works well as a border plant or even in large pots on patios and balconies.
Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius)
The Illawarra Flame Tree is one of Australia’s most recognisable and beloved trees. Known for its fiery red blooms, this tree puts on a spectacular display in late spring to early summer. When in full bloom, the Illawarra Flame Tree loses its leaves, leaving behind a stunning canopy of bright red bell-shaped flowers.
Characteristics
- Flower Colour: Vivid red, bell-shaped flowers.
- Height: Can grow up to 30 meters in ideal conditions, though typically reaches around 10-15 meters in urban gardens.
- Attracts: Birds and nectar-feeding wildlife.
Benefits
- The Flame Tree is hardy and drought-tolerant, thriving in a variety of soil types, from sandy to loamy soils.
- It’s a fast-growing tree that can provide shade when not in bloom, making it multifunctional.
- The Flame Tree’s striking red flowers create a beautiful contrast against a blue sky or surrounding greenery.
Ideal Uses
This tree is ideal as a feature tree in large gardens or public spaces. Its dramatic floral display makes it a show-stopper in any landscape. The Illawarra Flame Tree is also perfect for planting along streets, in parks, or as a backdrop in a native garden.
Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)
The Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus) is one of the most widely recognised Australian natives, known for its dense, brush-like red flowers that resemble a bottle brush. It’s a hardy and versatile tree that can be used as a shrub or allowed to grow into a small tree, typically reaching 3-5 meters in height.
Characteristics
- Flower Colour: Bright red, bottlebrush-shaped flowers.
- Height: Grows to 3-5 meters, though dwarf varieties are also available.
- Attracts: Birds, especially nectar-feeding species, and bees.
Benefits
- Bottlebrushes are extremely adaptable, tolerating a wide range of soil types and conditions, including wet soils and coastal environments.
- The plant’s dense foliage provides excellent screening and privacy in gardens, while its flowers attract wildlife.
- Bottlebrushes are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and frost-resistant.
Ideal Uses
Bottlebrushes are perfect for hedging, screening or as a standalone feature in gardens. Their bright flowers make them a striking addition to any landscape, and they are ideal for attracting birds and wildlife.
Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'
Grevillea Robyn Gordon is one of the most popular grevilleas in Australian gardens. It is admired for its long-lasting red flowers, which bloom throughout the year, making it a must-have for gardeners seeking year-round colour.
Characteristics
- Flower Color: Vibrant red.
- Height: Typically grows to around 1.5-2 meters.
- Attracts: Birds, particularly honey-eaters and lorikeets.
Benefits
- This Grevillea variety is extremely hardy and thrives in well-drained soils and full sun.
- Its long flowering period ensures that your garden will be colourful all year round.
- The flowers are rich in nectar, attracting a variety of birds and pollinators.
Ideal Uses
Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' is ideal for small gardens, rockeries, and as a feature plant. It also works well in mixed borders or as part of a native plant garden.
Ceratopetalum Gummiferum (New South Wales Christmas Bush)
The New South Wales Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) is a much-loved native tree that produces masses of small red flowers around Christmas time. This tree is especially valued for its beautiful red foliage, which turns a deeper shade as the holiday season approaches.
Characteristics
- Flower Colour: Red bracts that resemble flowers.
- Height: Grows to around 3-5 meters, making it perfect for smaller gardens.
- Attracts: Bees and other pollinators.
Benefits
- The Christmas Bush is an evergreen tree that provides year-round interest with its foliage and flowers.
- It is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.
- The red flowers make it perfect for cut floral arrangements during the holiday season.
Ideal Uses
This tree is perfect for creating a festive garden, especially around Christmas time. It works well as a small feature tree or can be grown in containers for patios or balconies.
Corymbia ficifolia 'Baby Scarlet'
Corymbia ficifolia Baby Scarlet is a dwarf version of the Red Flowering Gum, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens. Despite its compact size, 'Baby Scarlet' produces the same brilliant red flowers as its larger counterparts.
Characteristics
- Flower Colour: Bright red.
- Height: Grows to around 3-4 meters, making it ideal for compact spaces.
- Attracts: Birds, especially nectar-feeding species, and various pollinators.
Benefits
- This dwarf variety is perfect for small gardens, courtyards, or even large pots.
- Like the full-sized Red Flowering Gum, 'Baby Scarlet' is drought-tolerant and easy to care for.
- Its compact size makes it a versatile choice for urban gardens while still offering the stunning red blooms.
Ideal Uses
'Baby Scarlet' is perfect for planting in smaller spaces, including small gardens, courtyards, and patios. It’s also a great option for lining driveways or walkways.
Red Silky Oak (Grevillea banksii)
The Red Silky Oak (Grevillea banksii) is a stunning Australian native known for its dense, spidery red flowers. It’s a fast-growing tree, reaching up to 5-8 meters in height, and is often used as a feature tree in native gardens.
Characteristics
- Flower Colour: Spidery red blooms.
- Height: Grows to around 5-8 meters.
- Attracts: Birds, especially nectar-feeding species like honeyeaters.
Benefits
- The Red Silky Oak is highly adaptable and grows well in a variety of soil types.
- It flowers prolifically, providing colour and interest throughout much of the year.
- The tree is hardy, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance.
Ideal Uses
The Red Silky Oak is ideal as a feature tree in native gardens, or as part of a larger landscape design. Its stunning red flowers attract wildlife, making it a valuable addition to any garden seeking to support local biodiversity.
At Online Plants, we stock a wide variety of Australian trees with red flowers, perfect for adding colour, beauty and wildlife to your garden. Whether you're looking for a dramatic Illawarra Flame Tree or a compact Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon', we have the right plant for your landscape. Visit our website to explore our full collection, and take advantage of our fast and reliable delivery service, available across Australia.