Ivory curl tree

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; flowering is usually best in sun. Shelter young trees from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then deeply during prolonged dry weather. Established trees tolerate some drought but grow better with reliable moisture.

Soil

Well-drained, slightly acidic soil enriched with organic matter. Avoid waterlogged ground, strongly alkaline soil and high-phosphorus fertilisers.

Height

20-33 ft (6-10 m) in gardens; potentially much taller in rainforest conditions

Spread

13-20 ft (4-6 m)

Flowers

Long, creamy-white to ivory flower spikes, mainly in summer and early autumn; timing varies with climate.

Foliage

Evergreen. Glossy, leathery, dark green leaves with paler undersides; young growth is often bronze, and juvenile leaves may be lobed.

Growth

Moderate in warm conditions with adequate moisture.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Hard

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   8 ft (2.3 m)

3. After 2 years

   9 ft (2.6 m)

4. After 3 years

   10 ft (2.9 m)

5. After 5 years

   11 ft (3.5 m)

About 20 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

Australia

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons, allowing the surface soil to begin drying between waterings.
• Spread organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• If growth is weak, apply a low-phosphorus fertiliser formulated for Australian native plants in spring.
• Protect young trees from frost and cold winds; choose a naturally warm, sheltered planting site.
• Stake only where needed for stability, and remove ties once the roots hold the tree firmly.

Pruning. Prune lightly after flowering to remove damaged branches and develop a balanced crown. Train young trees to a clear trunk if needed, rather than repeatedly cutting back a mature tree.

Spring

Plant once frost risk has passed and the soil is warming; water the root ball and surrounding soil thoroughly.

Spring

Refresh mulch and apply low-phosphorus native-plant fertiliser only if needed.

Summer

Check soil moisture during hot weather and water young trees deeply before the root ball dries out.

Late summer

Enjoy the flower spikes and check for scale insects or sticky honeydew on the foliage.

Autumn

After flowering finishes, remove damaged growth and lightly shape young trees if necessary.

Winter

Protect young trees during forecast frosts and check that soil drains freely after heavy rain.

• Use as a flowering specimen in a warm lawn or broad planting bed, allowing room for its mature crown.
• Plant beside a terrace for evergreen shade, leaving enough distance for the trunk and canopy to develop.
• Combine with Australian rainforest plants for a layered, sheltered garden.
• Underplant with shade-tolerant foliage plants to contrast with its glossy leaves and pale flowers.

Garden styles it suits: Australian native, Modern tropical, Tropical, Woodland, White garden and Wildlife garden.

Plant it with: Lomandra, Native violet, Bird's nest fern, Clivia and Blueberry ash.

Wildlife: The nectar-bearing flowers attract bees, other insects and nectar-feeding birds, particularly in Australia. Its evergreen canopy provides shelter for small birds.

• Yellow leaves and weak growth in alkaline soil: check soil pH and drainage; use a suitable acidic planting site rather than repeatedly treating symptoms.
• Root decline in waterlogged soil: improve drainage before planting and avoid frequent watering when the soil remains wet.
• Scale insects and associated sooty mould: inspect stems and leaf undersides, control attending ants, and treat accessible infestations with horticultural oil according to the label.
• Frost-scorched foliage or shoot dieback: protect young trees and wait until spring growth starts before removing damaged wood.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, but species-specific safety information is limited. No part should be treated as edible, and pets should be discouraged from chewing the leaves or seeds.

• Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia)

  Macadamia also has glossy leaves and pale flower racemes, but its leaves are usually arranged in groups of three and it develops round nuts in green husks.

• Silky oak (Grevillea robusta)

  Silky oak has deeply divided, fern-like leaves and golden-orange flowers; ivory curl tree has mostly undivided adult leaves and ivory-white flower spikes.

Buckinghamia honours the Duke of Buckingham, celsissima means 'very tall', and the common name describes the ivory-coloured, curling flower parts.

Propagation. Raise from fresh seed in a warm, freely draining seed mix. Semi-ripe cuttings can also be tried with bottom heat and high humidity, but rooting is less dependable.

Accepted botanical name

Buckinghamia celsissima

Native range

Queensland.

Measured

Average height 2300 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.