This vigorous tree has an upright grey trunk with spreading branches that form a dense rounded crown. It has grey to dull green oval leaves and the funnel-shaped pale pink flowers appear during summer towards the end of the branches.

Hardiness zones 10 to 11

Lagunaria patersonii is naturally found in Australia from on Lord Howe Island to the Queensland coast. It prefers a well drained moderately fertile sandy soil in an open to exposed sunny position and is drought and salt spray tolerant but frost tender.

The Norfolk Island Hibiscus is grown for its flowers and its conical habit. It is planted in a seaside gardens as a specimen or as a wind break and is used as a street tree. It is fast growing and establishes in 2 years and is moderately long lived. It is also planted in gully settings for a tropical effect. ID 164

Note:
It is not recommended for playground plantings as fruit can cause a strong irritation to the skin. 

Lagunaria (la-gun-AR-ee-uh) patersonii (pat-er-SOH-nee-eye)

‘Lagunaria’: after 16th century Spanish doctor to the court of Charles V, Andreas de Laguna; ‘patersonia’: after 18th century collector and governor of NSW, William Paterson.

Malvaceae (mal-VAY-see-ee)
Cotton, Mallows and Hollyhocks