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Products > Ceratopetalum gummiferum 'Albery's Red'
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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Cunoniaceae |
| Origin: Australia (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 12-16 feet |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Ceratopetalum gummiferum 'Albery's Red' (Festival Bush) - This selection of the evergreen Ceratopetalum gummiferum is noted for its fiery bright-red floral display at Christmas time in its native New South Wales, Australia, which gives this plant the common name Christmas Bush; for us in the northern hemisphere this display occurs in June. This plant generally grows in gardens into a large pyramidal shrub or small tree to 15 to 18 feet tall but it can reach 30 feet in height in its natural habit. The foliage of the plant is very attractive with 3 inch long glossy leaves divided into three finely-serrated leaflets. The new leaves emerge a pale color green with pink highlights and age to a rich bright green. In late spring erupts a display of small cream colored flowers which makes an attractive show in mass but the main attraction of the plant is the massed display of the red sepals and papery seed capsules that only begin to expand and darken after the flowers have faded. This often occurs in early to mid summer and this show can last well into fall if late summer temperatures are not too extreme and if plants are protected from wind. The sepals and foliage are widely used for cut flowers in Australia and more recently in the US where the common name is often listed as Festival Bush. Plant in full sun (best) to part day sun in a moderately-well to well-drained soil and irrigate regularly - do not let dry out completely! Benefits from an application of iron sulfate in spring. Vigorously regenerates after heavy pruning, which is best done soon after the flowering period in late summer. There is a wide variation in hardiness data on this plant but we are relatively sure that this plant is hardy to at least 25 F. This selection was named in recognition for Peter Albery of New South Wales, who initially propagated plants from a street tree in Warrimoo. One of these plants was named 'Albery's Red' by Neil Kirby and released by Yellow Rock Native Nursery in 1984. We liked this plant but could not keep it looking good in the nursery and sadly decided to no longer grow it in 2009.
The information about Ceratopetalum gummiferum 'Albery's Red' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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