NSW Christmas bush Ceratopetalum gummiferum
NSW Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cunoniaceae family, native to Coastal New South Wales. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
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NSW Christmas bush at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cunoniaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 6–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coastal New South Wales |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is NSW Christmas bush toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with NSW Christmas bush
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about NSW Christmas bush
- How far apart should I plant NSW Christmas bush?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does NSW Christmas bush need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does NSW Christmas bush need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is NSW Christmas bush?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does NSW Christmas bush flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 6–9 weeks.
- Is NSW Christmas bush poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with NSW Christmas bush?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for NSW Christmas bush. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
Notes and assumptions
- Tiny white flowers in late spring are followed by the real show: the sepals swell and turn deep red just in time for Christmas, and branches are cut for decoration in Sydney homes. Trifoliate leaves on a tall shrub or small tree.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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