These photo’s were taken of my very own Stenocarpus angustifolius ‘Doreen’ flowering in Autumn. A rainforest shrub native to QLD has delicate ferny foliage, and curly white flowers.

Related to Stenocarpus sinuatus (Firewheel tree) but not as large, making it a better option for an urban garden. A cultivar of Stenocarpur angustifolius, we cannot find who “Doreen” is but would be great to know who this plant is named after.

Despite its delicate leaves and flowers this plant is quite tough. It will tolerate light frosts, the foliage is quite pest and disease resistant and it is very wind hardy, ideal for windbreaks.

The fruit pods are long brown bean like, appearing after flowering.

A small evergreen tree growing to a maximum of 5 metres. Very fine, fern-like foliage that is bright lime when new, is great for cut foliage in floral arrangements. A great excuse to use the foliage from the occasional pruning which will also create a tall hedge.

 As it is fast growing it is excellent for screening or as a specimen tree. Bees and other pollinators love the flowers. In the wild it grows in and near creeks so try this in a seasonally wet part of your garden.

If you’d like to add this to your garden choose a spot with well drained soil, in sun or part shade. Happiest when mulched and fertilise with a slow release native fertiliser at time of planting. Once established you will be blessed with flowers almost all year round.

Stenocarpus