Australian Christmas Plants

Supermarkets often promote poinsettias (a plant indigenous to central America) as a Christmas plant, but the Australian National Herbarium reports that a number of Australian native plants have become significant as Christmas plants in various parts of Australia. The following are grown in NSW:

Christmas Bells

Blandfordia grandiflora (Blandfordiaceae) Liliaceae is a tufted plant with grass-like leaves to 50 cm. Flower spikes grow to 50 cm with up to 10 large bell-like flowers, which vary from pure yellow to deep red with yellow tips. Flowers usually occur in summer but occasional flowers appear at any time of year.
Propagation: From seed.
Cultivation: A sandy soil with high water table is recommended for commercial production of blooms, but plants will flower in a rockery provided that ample water is available at all times. A full-sun position is also important.

Blandfordia nobilis (Blandfordiaceae) Liliaceae is similar to the former species but generally smaller. Flowers appear in summer; always red with yellow tips and cylindrical rather than funnel-shaped.
Propagation: From seed, flowers produced in third year.
Cultivation: Needs well-drained position in full sun or part shade.

Christmas Bush

Ceratopetalum gummiferum (Cunoniaceae) is an erect shrub growing 5m high by 1.5m diameter with light green, trifoliolate leaves with lanceolate, toothed leaflets. Terminal sprays of white star-like flowers occur in late spring followed by beautiful reddened, swollen calyces in summer.
Propagation: From seed or cuttings.
Cultivation: Needs well-drained soil. A sunny position is preferred for good flowering. Propagate from clones, which produce the best colours. A fine feature plant and an excellent cut flower.

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