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NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum)
Description: this good-looking evergreen native shrub has three-pointed leaves and creamy flowers in spring. After flowering the calyxes
turn a rusty red for a stunning Christmas show. They glow brightly in the Eastern Australian bushland, and are easy to grow in the garden. ‘Albery’s
Red’ is a popular cultivar.
Size: 5m high x 1.5m wide
Cultivation: Christmas bush will grow in sun or semi-shade, although flowering is best if planted in full sun. Choose a well-drained spot
with reliable moisture. Prune lightly after flowering to keep the bush dense and shapely.
Special comments: Christmas bush can be slow to establish. Ensure the soil around the planting hole is crumbly and that there is minimum
root competition. Feed with a native fertiliser such as Acticote for Natives as soon as growth begins.
Text: Libby Cameron
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