Stenocarpus

( sten - oh - CAR - puss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of shrubs and trees produces individual plants with variably shaped leaves and eye-catching flowers. These plants need full sun and moderate to regular water to flower and perform well.

Stenocarpus species and varietals

The genus Stenocarpus includes around 22 species and is a member of the plant family Proteaceae. These trees and shrubs grow best in zones 16, 17 and 20-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Stenocarpus angustifolius
These shrubs or small trees typically reach between 13 and 16 feet tall when mature and have narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Flowers are creamy-white and bloom from August to December in the plant's native range (Queensland, Australia). Fruits appear in December and contain winged seeds. 

Stenocarpus cryptocarpus (Giant-Leaf Stenocarpus)
This species is endemic to north Queensland, Australia. These trees form buttress roots at their bae, and can reach up to 82 feet tall when mature. Flowers are cream-colored and strongly fragrant, blooming from December through April in the plant's native range.

Stenocarpus cunninghamii (Little Wheel Bush)
This species is endemic to northern Australia, and has narrow lance-shaped leaves. These trees or shrubs can reach up to 40 feet tall when mature, and produce pale yellow to white flowers in March to May. These plants love dry climates.

Stenocarpus davallioides (Fern-Leaved Stenocarpus)
This species is endemic to northern Queensland, Australia, and forms a tree that reaches up to 130 feet tall when mature. Flowers are cream to greenish, and leaves are fern-like (deeply divided). This species is rarely cultivated as a garden ornamental due to its large size.

Stenocarpus reticulatus (Black Silky Oak)
This species is endemic to northern Queensland, Australia, and forms a tree with strongly-perfumed creamy-white flowers. These trees typically reach about 115 feet tall when mature.

Stenocarpus sinuatus (Firewheel Tree, Tulip Flower, White Beefwood, White Oak, White Silky Oak)
These are slow-growing trees that have dense foliage and reach 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Leaves are shiny and deep green, and flowers are tubular, red and yellow, and arranged in clusters that resemble the spokes of a wheel (hence the common name). Great, showy trees for patios and near terraces, and also good for near swimming pools and in lawns. Can be grown indoors as a potted plant in its youth. 

Caring for and pruning stenocarpus Trees

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Stenocarpus
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 613, Stenocarpus sinuatus
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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