Q: We have a mature Colvillea Racemosa in our yard that has not flowered for the past three years (we have only lived here for three years). Do you have any suggestions why this may be? It is planted about 5m from a Liquidambar. I thought, maybe competition for water could be an issue? Soils are fertile, and it is planted well clear of buildings. Tabitha – Nudgee
A: Colvillea racemosa (common name – Colville’s Glory) is native to Madagascar, which means that it really is a tropical tree. It does grow well in sub-tropical areas as in South-East Queensland, but does not grow as well as it does in the tropics. For best results – it needs moist conditions underfoot, around the root zone.
There are some Colvilleas planted as street trees on Brunswick Street, in the Merthyr area. The trees themselves are very poor specimens, but ‘sure as hell’, they put on a brilliant show of flowers every year and they are NOT watered at all, just relying on rainfall.
We have some Colvilleas in Roma Street Parkland, having been transplanted there as mature specimens 6 years ago. One tree, not as healthy as the other, flowered last year for the first time. The second tree, a really large and good healthy looking specimen in Spectacle Garden, flowered this year for the first time. Neither of them put on a good show of flowers though. Neither of the trees is irrigated. Hopefully, we can look forward to some brilliant flowering in years to come.
To ‘egg’ your tree on to some flowering next year, you could try watering it heavily (and I mean ‘heavily’) for a period of time, even if it be just for one month. That will change its existent environment and could create the catalyst that it requires, to break out of its present non-flowering condition.
No, I don’t think the Liquidambar close by is affecting your Colvillea in any way. Give your Colvillea a really good drink for a period of time. That ‘should’ do the trick.
