Other Names:  Agnostus sinuata, Cybele sinuata

Description:

An upright evergreen tree that is notable for its large, dark green, leathery leaves with wavy margins; exotic, pinwheel shaped red to orange flowers appear primarily in fall and winter, but may emerge all year; an outstanding landscape accent tree

Ornamental Features

Firewheel Tree features unusual clusters of scarlet round flowers with orange overtones and yellow tips along the branches from early fall to mid winter. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage. The large glossy lobed leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up. The smooth gray bark and dark brown branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Firewheel Tree is an evergreen tree with a shapely oval form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Firewheel Tree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Firewheel Tree will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America.