Botanical Name: Heteropyxis natalensis
Common Name: Lavender Tree

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Indigenous
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Tree
Flower Colour : Cream to yellow
Foliage Colour : Green
Best Season : All seasons
Light : Sun
Hardiness : Semi-hardy
Attributes : Fragrant, Attracts butterflies, Autumn colour
Height (m) : 4 - 7
Spread (m) :
    
Notes : Slender, upright tree ideal for a small garden. Can be used almost anywhere but is particularly useful where space is limited or in beds where sun-loving smaller plants can still grow happily. Grows well in a container. Is able to tolerate a drought period of about 6 months. Prefers full sun but will grow well in light shade. The grey bark is flaky and reveals patches of pale orange-brown underbark. The dropping, glossy leaves have a waxy texture. In Spring the growth is flushed red and in Autumn there is an extended display of yellow and deep orange. It retains its Autumn colour all Winter. When crushed, the foliage has a strong, sweet, lavender smell. The small, fragrant cream to yellow flowers are borne from December to March. These are followed by tiny, oval dark brown fruits. Thrives in high or low rainfall, but the Spring and Autumn colours develop best in dry areas. Young trees are frost sensitive and must be protected for the first year. Makes a good bonsai.