Forest Flame is a standout Australian native cultivar prized for its vibrant colour and versatility. While the mature leaves are a deep, lustrous green, the emerging young foliage is a brilliant, fiery red. As the leaves age, they transition through shades of bronze and orange before settling into green, meaning a well-maintained plant often displays multiple colours simultaneously.
This variety typically grows into a dense, conical shrub reaching approximately 2 to 3 metres in height, though it can be easily kept much smaller with regular pruning. In spring and summer, it produces clusters of dainty white flowers, followed by small, attractive pinkish-purple berries. One of its greatest advantages in the Australian garden is its high resistance to Psyllids (the tiny insects that cause unsightly bubbles or pimples on the leaves of many other Lilly Pilly varieties), ensuring the foliage remains smooth and pristine.
Care Tips
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Position: Thrives in full sun to part shade. While it handles shade well, the most intense red “flame” colouring on the new growth is achieved when the plant receives plenty of sunlight.
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Climate: Very hardy and adaptable to most Australian climates, from cool temperate to subtropical. It is moderately frost-tolerant once established and handles coastal conditions well.
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Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. It is quite adaptable to different soil types but thrives in a loamy or sandy-clay mix.
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Watering: Requires regular watering during the establishment phase. Once mature, it is relatively drought-tolerant, but consistent moisture will promote more frequent flushes of that iconic red new growth.
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Fertilising: Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser or a native-specific fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer to encourage vigorous growth.
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Pruning: Responds exceptionally well to pruning. It can be shaped into formal hedges, topiary cones, or spheres. Regular light trimming will stimulate more of the colourful new red tips.
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Maintenance: Keep a thick layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
