The Firewheel trees are flowering their heads off this year, I’m not sure what it is, maybe the searing heat? maybe the deluge of rains, whatever, my tree has never had so many flowers on it and its not the only one.

The tree was here when we bought the house and was only 2 meters tall, it now stands around the 6 meter mark, I’m not sure where its going to go to from here as it has been planted underneath a large Eucalyptus paniculata. But it does go to show that they grow quite happily in shade with strong coastal winds, I would call that a difficult spot.

Stenocarpus sinuatus is a rainforest tree from northern NSW and southern QLD, so likes quite a rich deep soil. It is often grown as a street tree in Sydney and can be grown in Melbourne.

The following photos were taken on a trip to Brisbane.

Flowering in Summer and Autumn, most prolifically in Feb and March, you can see the abundance of orange-red wheel like flowers, hence the common name Fire Wheel Tree. The flowers attract bee’s and birds.

Stenocarpus sinuatus is considered a slow grower in the first 2-3 years. In the garden it will grow from a height of 6-10meters and width of 2-4mt. Out in the wild it will grow up to 30mts.

Perfect as a screening tree due to its narrow habit, making this tree suitable for many garden situations, courtyards and pollinator gardens.

When not in flower the foliage of this tree is not disappointing. The large shiny, dark green leaves are an excellent backdrop to whatever is flowering in the garden.

Canopy can be lifted on taller trees to allow for under planting.

Once established Stenocarpus sinuatus is tolerant of light frost, periods of dryness, and wind. For best results protect immature plants, mulch to keep soil moisture and you will be rewarded.