Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) — ‘Albery’s Red’
Bring classic Australian Christmas colour to your Sydney garden. Bright red bracts, glossy foliage and excellent performance in coastal suburbs — available for local delivery or pickup.
Why choose this NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum)
- Seasonal impact: Abundant white flowers that mature into vivid red bracts, providing a dramatic display through late spring and early summer.
- Selected cultivar — ‘Albery’s Red’: Bred for strong, dependable bract colour and a compact, bushy habit ideal for suburban gardens and containers.
- Versatile use: Great as a specimen, informal screen, container feature, or source of cut stems for seasonal arrangements.
Key features & product specs — Christmas Bush
Ceratopetalum gummiferum ‘Albery’s Red’
The Christmas Bush is a signature Australian native that brings festive colour to any landscape. ‘Albery’s Red’ combines evergreen structure with seasonal spectacle: glossy, serrated leaves hold the plant’s shape year-round, then spring flowers mature into intense red bracts that truly stand out in suburban streetscapes, courtyards and coastal gardens. This cultivar is selected for reliable colour and compact habit — ideal for smaller blocks and container planting.
Planting & care — tailored for Sydney
- Light: Full sun to part shade — brighter positions usually improve bract colour.
- Soil: Well-drained soils only. Avoid waterlogged sites to reduce root-disease risk.
- Water: Regular watering while establishing (12–18 months). Drought-tolerant once established with occasional supplementary watering during heatwaves.
- Pruning: Light formative pruning after flowering promotes bushier growth and more stems for cutting.
- Fertiliser: Use a low-phosphorus, native-friendly fertiliser in spring.
Plant health note: Choose a free-draining position and avoid heavy, poorly drained soils — good drainage is essential to reduce the risk of root disease.
Uses & design ideas — NSW Christmas Bush
- Feature specimen: Single plant with a mulch ring and feature lighting shows off the seasonal colour.
- Informal screen: A row of 3–4 specimens creates an attractive seasonal screen that bursts into colour each season.
- Container planting: Excellent in large tubs for patios, entryways and terraces — moveable festive colour.
- Cut stems: Strong bracts make excellent stems for seasonal floral arrangements.
Light requirement: Full Sun and Part sun/part shade
Water requirement: Medium
Watering frequency:
Soil: Loamy, sandy, or sandy loam
Skill level: Beginner
Growth rate: Intermediate
Suitable for containers:
More info:
External links to more info:
Drought tolerance: Medium
Frost tolerance: Medium
Wind tolerance: Medium
Disease and pest susceptibility:
Mature height:
Mature width:
Suitable for shaping:
Colour: Green
Variegation: No
Size: Small/medium
Seasonality: Evergreen
Flowering: Yes; profuse/bright display
Flower colour: White, pink and red flowers
Flower fragrant: No
Flowering season: Spring and summer
Fruit: Yes
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