Polyspora Species, Fried Egg Plant, Fried Egg Tree

What a gorgeous find in Te Aroha - a country town dominated by its namesake Mount Te Aroha, NZ.
Gordonia axillaries is a hardy, ev...Read Moreergreen tree that originates in Southern China. Gordonias belong to the Theaceae or tea family, and the white flowers with crepe paper-like petals resemble those of the closely related camellia. Some of the flowers grow in the leaf axils, hence the species name, axillaris. Fertlise regularly to prevent leaves from turning yellow. No pruning required, or otherwise just a light prune in spring after flowering.

Best look: Striking as a small tree for a garden or a footpath. Also as a large screening plant. Position so the fallen flowers can be ad...Read Moremired as they drop around the tree. Can also be grown in a large tub.

Good points:
Large (10cm or 4" across) white flowers with prominent golden stamens.
Long flowering - flowers from autumn to spring. Peak probably May to June (Sydney, Australia) but varies with location as it grows over such a large area. As an extra show, the flowers fall around the tree 'butter side' up (that is with the stamens up).
Pest or disease free.
Glossy green leaves which get red tips in the winter.
Will grow in sun to light shade.
The bark is shed to reveal an attractive smooth satiny tan trunk which is very appealing.
Likes: Sun to part shade, acid soils, good drainage, regular moisture, mulch around root area to stop competition from surrounding grass (very important if tree is grown in a lawn). It will however tolerate dry conditions quite well which is why it is a good choice for a footpath planting.

Down side:
Hard to find a down side. The fallen flower carpet under or around the plant may worry some people - but this should be seen as a plus as it gives a decorative effect.
Can be slow growing when young (so buy a big plant if you want a tree in a hurry).
Hates: Competition from grass (although it is often grown in lawns as what's called in the trade a 'specimen' tree).

Care: Lightly tip prune after flowering in spring if a bushy shrub is desired (for example if it is being grown for screening). Fertilise and mulch in spring with azalea and camellia food or any all round fertiliser.

Best climate: Warm to cold (tropics and south to Melbourne and Hobart also in lower parts of mountains). The Gordonia is from the area from Taiwan to Vietnam. It is placed in the tea family (Theaceae) along with camellias.

This is a tall shrub or small tree that reaches up to 5 meters tall. It has a shiny and dark foliage, with glossy leaves, showing red tip...Read Mores on winter.The flowers are big, white, with 5 petals, scented, with a cluster of yellow stamens in the middle. These flowers don´t dry nor wilter on the plant, it just drops, falling on the ground with the stamens up. The ground under and around the tree may be covered with these flowers that, as they say, look like a carpet of fried eggs.

It is said to tolerate light frosts when grown up, but the younger plants must be kept frost free. Apreciates moderate temperatures, regular watering, and full sun to partial shade.