Since we’re well and truly close to the Christmas season, it’s time to think about outdoor decor. And what could be better than a Christmas decoration that is grown straight from the ground?
The Christmas bush is a plant that truly rings in the season, adding a bit of Christmas spirit to your garden with dainty sepals that resemble sparkling lights dappled all over its branches.
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The NSW Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) is unique in that its petals aren’t the brightest and most beautiful part of the plant. That feat instead goes to the vibrantly coloured sepals that emerge after flowering and become bold and bright in colour.
After flowering in spring, the tree will begin to gradually decorate itself by turning a bright scarlet red just before Christmas.
How to grow Christmas bush
The majestic NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) is the perfect plant to add to your garden before the Christmas period. With beautiful blooming red sepals during the three-week period over Christmas, this plant is aptly named. With different varieties growing from 1.5 to 6m tall, this shrub or tree is a great native addition.
Climate
NSW Christmas Bush, of course, is endemic to the eastern coast of Australia. It can grow in any warm to temperate climate throughout Australia, and can tolerate light frosts.
Aspect
Position your Christmas Bush in full sun or semi-shade. Flowering will be best when planted in direct sun.
Soil
Christmas bush likes soil that drains well and has reliable moisture. If your soil is prone to quickly drying out, it is recommended to water it more frequently to keep your bush healthy.
Water
This plant prefers a deep watering once or twice a week in hot and dry conditions. While Christmas bush can tolerate dry conditions, it will be much healthier if it is watered on a routine basis.
Fertiliser
To prolong their flowering season during spring, apply a good dose of specially formulated native plant food.
Planting
To achieve the brightest red coloured sepals, plant your Christmas bush in a sun drenched spot. They work best in a bush garden setting, or as a screening plant, and their creamy white flowers attract native butterflies, moths and bees.
Is Christmas bush hard to grow?
Christmas bush is actually very easy to grow in the garden. Growing in either full sun or semi-shade, this glowing red plant is great for homes that love low-maintenance gardening.
Christmas bush lifespan
The beautiful red sepals associated with Christmas bush last for around 3 weeks, perfect to start and end the Christmas season! The plant itself can last for hundreds of years and is a great native addition to any backyard.
How to cut NSW Christmas bush flowers
When cut, their pretty scarlet blooms are surprisingly long lasting – up to three weeks! Use a sharp pair of secateurs to cut the bottoms of stems at an angle and change the water regularly to prolong the life of your lovely bouquet. Christmas bush makes the perfect natural table decor, and will show off your gardening prowess!
Australian Christmas bush varieties
Don’t worry – if you don’t live in New South Wales, there’s a Christmas bush for all areas of the continent. Victorian Christmas Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos) grows in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Tasmania. South Australian and Tasmanian Christmas Bush Bursaria spinosa grows in all states except Western Australia.
And the West Australian Christmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda), well it only grows in WA, and is the largest mistletoe in the world!
You may also like:
Christmas plants for your garden
The essential guide to Australian native plants
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