Species

Corymbia ficifoliaRed-flowering gum, Red flowering gum, Flowering gum

3 other cultivars

tree

Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum

Corymbia ficifolia 'Dwarf Orange'

The Story

Plant Bio

Corymbia ficifolia, formerly classified as Eucalyptus ficifolia, is a small to medium evergreen tree native to the sandy, low-lying heathlands of south-western Western Australia. The species is grown for its dense, rounded canopy of dark green, discolorous leaves and its massive terminal clusters of flowers that sit prominently outside the foliage.

'Dwarf Orange' is a compact, slow-growing selection that reaches a mature height of three to four metres. It is propagated almost exclusively via grafting onto resilient rootstocks to guarantee its dwarf stature and brilliant vermillion-orange flower colour.

Uses & Benefits:

Massed terminal clusters of brilliant vermillion-orange flowers held prominently outside the dense, dark green canopy.

Functions as a compact, low-maintenance shade tree or windbreak suitable for space-constrained suburban gardens.

Provides a rich source of nectar for native bees, insects, and nectar-feeding birds such as honeyeaters and lorikeets.

SpeciesCorymbia ficifoliaRed-flowering gum, Red flowering gum, Flowering gum

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

157 inches

Width

118 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Western Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Summer – Autumn

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with excellent drainage, mounding the soil if planting in heavier loams.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the graft union sits completely clear of the soil surface.
Backfill with native soil, firm gently, and water deeply to settle the roots.
Apply a thin layer of mulch around the root zone, keeping it at least ten centimetres away from the trunk collar.

Pro Tip

Plant the graft union well above the soil level in highly permeable sandy loam; planting too deeply or in heavy clay causes collar rot and rapid decline.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water deeply and regularly during the first two years to establish a deep root system.
Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly in early spring.
Tip-prune young branches after flowering to encourage a denser canopy.

Don't

Do not prune hard into old, leafless wood, as Myrtaceae fail to regenerate from dormant buds on old timber.
Do not allow mulch to pile up against the trunk collar, which invites fungal infections.
Do not plant in heavy clay or waterlogged soils without significant mounding or soil modification.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen planting in small suburban gardensStreet tree under powerlinesCoastal windbreak or screening

Companion Plants

Anigozanthos flavidus Westringia fruticosa Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum questions

What zones can Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum grow in?

Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum bloom?

Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum typically blooms in summer through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum need full sun?

Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Red Flowering Gum, Flowering Gum, Dwarf Orange Flowering Gum handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.