Family: Proteaceae

Native to Australia and New Caledonia, these evergreen trees are grown for their striking flowers and foliage. The smooth, shiny, alternate leaves may be entire or lobed. The flowers are somewhat like the grevilleas from Australia. Growth is moderate to slow, most species taking up to seven years to flower.

Species

S. salignus, scrub beefwood, is an upright-growing shrub or small tree, with narrow, alternate, elliptical leaves. The fragrant, greenish yellow flowers are borne in dense, roundish clusters, making an attractive display against the dark green foliage. The fruit is a long, flattened pod.

S. sinuatus, firewheel tree, found in rainforests of Australia's east coast, is the most commonly grown species. It is an attractive tree, growing 10-20 m (33-65 ft) in the wild and around 9 in (30 ft) in cultivation. It has shiny, dark green, lobed leaves and spectacular, orange to red flowers, arranged in a wheel-like shape. In its natural habitat, this species attracts honeyeaters and other birds.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, grow in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory, but bear in mind that plants may not flower when grown in pots. Use soil-based potting compost in containers. Provide good light, but shade from direct, strong sun. Pruning may be needed in late winter to control size. Outdoors grow in a sunny, sheltered spot with moist yet well drained, humus-rich soil. Propagate from seed in spring, germinated at 21°C (70°F), or from semi-ripe cuttings, in a heated propagating case, during summer.

Climate

Zone 10 or tropical.