Red Flowering Gum Wildfire - Corymbia ficifolia 'Wildfire'

Corymbia ficifolia 'Wildfire' (syn. Eucalyptus ficifolia) is one of Australia's most beloved ornamental trees, and 'Wildfire' is a standout grafted selection that brings reliable, spectacular colour to gardens of all sizes. Growing to around 4-10m in height with a broad, domed canopy of equal spread, this compact flowering gum is perfectly suited to street tree plantings, suburban backyards, and feature positions in native and cottage gardens alike.

Come summer, the dense evergreen canopy transforms into a breathtaking display of brilliant red to pink flower clusters a magnet for honeyeaters, lorikeets, and other nectar-feeding birds. The flowers are followed by decorative woody gumnuts that add further textural interest through autumn and winter. With its rounded, symmetrical habit and rich green foliage, 'Wildfire' earns its place as a year round garden feature even when not in bloom.

Being a grafted variety, 'Wildfire' offers the consistency and reliability that seedling-grown flowering gums simply cannot match. Grafting ensures true-to-type flowering colour and a more predictable, compact growth habit, giving you confidence that what you plant is exactly what you'll get.

Key Features:

• Soil: Tolerates most soil types provided drainage is good. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged soils.
• Light: Thrives in full sun. Will tolerate semi shade but flowers most prolifically in a sunny position.
• Watering: Water regularly during establishment (first 1–2 seasons). Once established, moderate watering is sufficient. Keep moist during extended dry or hot periods.
• Fertiliser: Apply a low phosphorus slow release fertiliser formulated for native plants in spring. Avoid high phosphorus fertilisers, which can be toxic to Proteaceae-family relatives and harmful to many Australian natives.
• Maintenance: Low maintenance. Mulch well around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Remove spent flower heads if desired. No significant pruning required.
• Flowering: Flowers in summer, producing dense clusters of brilliant red to pink blooms. Followed by decorative woody gumnuts. Grafted plants flower reliably and true to colour each year.

Always choose a grafted 'Wildfire' over a seedling-grown flowering gum. Seedlings can produce flowers in any colour from white to red. Only grafted plants guarantee the signature deep red blooms. Look for a healthy graft union low on the trunk as a sign of quality.

At Plant Nest, we make it easy to buy plants online with delivery direct to your door. Every plant is hand-selected for quality, carefully packed, and backed by expert advice so you can grow with confidence.