This Australian rainforest tree brings rich color and a sweet scent to spacious gardens.
Coachwood is an evergreen tree that grows between eight and twenty meters tall. It works beautifully in larger landscapes alongside companion plants like tree ferns, lilly pillies, and bird's nest ferns. Its glossy green leaves with serrated edges and smooth grey bark marked with white rings create an attractive centerpiece.
This tree requires a moderate level of care and needs regular, moderate watering because it is not drought tolerant. It grows at a steady, moderate rate in either full sun or partial shade. You can propagate it from seeds or cuttings, and it is completely safe to grow around pets and children.
In spring, small white blossoms open and attract bees, birds, and butterflies to your garden. After flowering, persistent star-like calyces—the protective outer bases of the blooms—turn a dramatic deep red. When cut or dried, the tree gives off a sweet fragrance reminiscent of caramel.