Xanthostemon chrysanthus - Golden Penda

Xanthostemon chrysanthus, the Golden Penda, is an evergreen tree native to Australia. Its beautiful evergreen foliage emerges in reddish tones before turning to a deep green, with a glossy surface that is highly attractive. However, its ornamental value lies primarily in its long summer flowering, composed of large, globular inflorescences of a striking golden yellow. It can only be cultivated in the ground in very mild areas. Elsewhere, it can be grown in containers to be overwintered in a frost-free, bright location.

Xanthostemon belongs to the Myrtaceae family, represented in our flora by Common Myrtle, and in our gardens by Bottlebrushes (Callistemon) with their striking brush-like flowers, or Eucalyptus with their decorative foliage. Still relatively unknown, Xanthostemon nevertheless comprises 47 species, native to a wide area ranging from Malaysia to New Caledonia, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia. It is from this continental country that Xanthostemon chrysanthus originates. It is naturally found in the north and northeast of Queensland, a large state in northeastern Australia, where the climate is predominantly tropical to subtropical. In these regions, it grows in coastal rainforests, along waterways, and up to 1000 metres in altitude. It develops into a large tree reaching 25 metres in height, with an elongated silhouette, forming a more or less irregular cone in the wild. When cultivated in Australian gardens, it often adopts a more rounded, globular crown and smaller dimensions (10 metres in height or less, with a spread of 5 metres). The trunk is quite narrow, rarely straight, more frequently bendy, covered with a mottled grey bark and branched into fine lateral branches. These are adorned with alternate, elliptical to lanceolate leaves, measuring approximately 7 to 22 cm in length and 2 to 9.5 cm in width, borne on a short petiole of about 1 cm. They are leathery and emerge in quite attractive reddish tones on mature growth, with a glossy dark green upper surface and a lighter underside. In summer, large inflorescences known as cymes develop in the leaf axils, mainly at the tips of the shoots. Globular and reaching up to 15 cm in diameter, they consist of dozens of small golden yellow flowers enhanced by the dark background of the foliage. The calyx measures about 0.5 cm, the rounded petals 0.8 cm, and it is the numerous protruding stamens (20 to 25) that are most admired, as with most Myrtaceae, measuring 3.5 to 4 cm in length. The nectar-rich flowering lasts all summer (July to September in our northern hemisphere).
The "Golden Penda" will acclimatise in the most sheltered areas, where frost is virtually absent. Nevertheless, its planting remains a gamble, as the plant can only tolerate brief spells around 0°C and requires humidity that may be lacking in certain situations. Xanthostemon chrysanthus will then take on more of the appearance of a bush, 4 to 5 metres in height with a spread of 3 metres, and its flowering may be less spectacular than in its native country. Its growth will also be slower, and it will need to be planted in full sun, whereas it tolerates light shade in Australia.

In the few areas mild enough to attempt its cultivation in the ground, Xanthostemon chrysanthus will bring an irresistible tropical touch to the garden. Preferring neutral to acidic soils, you can pair it with Proteaceae, such as Leucadendron or Protea, whose equally exotic appearance will perfectly complement your Golden Penda. Slightly hardier, Brachychiton discolor will also integrate well into your exotic scene with its flamboyant pink flowering. Elsewhere, you can grow it in containers, especially as it tolerates pruning very well, and thus bring it indoors to a greenhouse or conservatory in winter.