Autumn Plant Sale – Special large plants
In the upcoming Autumn Plant Sale on 14-15 March 2026 (for more details on the sale itself go to https://rbgfriendscranbourne.org.au/2025/09/growing-friends-plant-sale/), the Growing Friends have 3 species of large, special bushes and trees for sale:
- The colourful Rhododendron viriosum,
- the unique Brachychiton rupestris and
- the rare in nature Prumnopitys ladei.
- Rhododendron viriosum – Mountain Rhododendron
Meaning of the name: from Ancient Greek – rhódon meaning ‘Rose’ and déndron meaning ‘Tree’. Viriosum, is derived from the Latin word for strong, or robust.
In flower now as per photos.
Price $200.00 each.
The Rhododendron viriosum is native to the highland regions of Queensland, particularly in cooler, mountainous areas. It is a hardy, ornamental shrub with clusters of pink-red, bell-shaped flowers and whorls of large, glossy, elliptic-shaped leaves. It makes for a beautiful display in the garden or large pot. It thrives in moist, well-drained acidic soils in a part or dappled shade position. It withstands moderate frost once established and responds well to pruning to maintain desired shape. Height and width 1 – 1.5 meters.
2. Prumnopitys ladei – Mount Spurgeon Black Pine
Meaning of the name Prumnopitys – it is a combination of two ancient Greek words: Prymnos for ‘hindmost’ or ‘stern’, and pitys for ‘pine’, which refers to how the resin duct is located behind the midrib of the leaf.
ladei – named after Frank Lade (1868-1948), social reformist and preacher.
Price $200.00
The Prumnopitys ladei is an elegant, slow growing, rare conifer native to eastern Australia and is endemic to far north Queensland. It is a beautiful conifer with fern-like foliage (see close-up photo) and a slender, upright habit to a height of 6m and width of 5m. (It may eventually reach a height of 10m) The bark is black and flaky and uniquely patterned. It prefers full sun or a partly-shaded sheltered position in well-draining soils. Can tolerate various soil types, including sandy, clay and loamy soils and will handle heavier soils mulched and with well-rotted organic matter added. Will tolerate moderate frost once established. Can also be used in containers as an attractive, Australian Christmas tree. Tip pruning when young is beneficial to shape.
A rare tree with a limited distribution in the wild, but a great Australian conifer that deserves a place in landscaping. Despite its tropical origins, it grows well in cool temperatures, such as in Canberra and southern Tasmania – Bruny Island.
Beautiful planted in rows for a formal effect, or as a striking feature tree in the landscape.
3. Brachychiton rupestris – Queensland Bottle Tree
The name means: Brachy from latinised combining Greek brakhys meaning ‘short’ and Greek chiton for a ‘coat’ or ‘tunic’ in reference to the coating of short massed hairs over the seeds. Rupestris comes from the Latin meaning ‘Rocky’ (lives in rocky places).
Price $200.00
The Brachychiton rupestris is an iconic native tree known for its bulbous-shaped trunk which develops as it matures. The swollen trunk that holds water enabling it to survive periods of drought. It has attractive elongated, lobed leaves and small creamy flowers attractive to birds – the tree may drop its leaves before flowering. The bottle shape develops after around 5 to 10 years and grows to a height 5-8m and width of canopy of 3-6m. Grow in a full-sun position and it prefers well-drained soil but does well on a wide range of soils. When established it can take some frost, as well as withstanding high temperatures and drought.
Once established it is extremely hardy and drought tolerant. Perfect for feature plantings and drought-tolerant gardens. A wonderful landscape tree in areas where its unique shape makes for a striking feature tree. May be judiciously pruned to promote filling out the canopy which will provide dappled shade. It grows well in a large container for many years and is useful around a swimming pool as it is a clean tree without an invasive root system.
Should you be interested or wish to purchase any of the above, please contact:
growing.friends@rbgfriendscranbourne.org.au or marjannerook@iinet.net.au or come to the Growing Friends plant sale on 14-15 March from 10am to 4pm at the Cranbourne Gardens near the kiosk where we will have a large range of plant for sale.
