Lagunaria patersonia
Norfolk Island Hibiscus
The Lagunaria patersonia, commonly known as the Norfolk Island Hibiscus or Cow Itch Tree, is a densely foliaged evergreen tree from Norfolk Island and coastal eastern Australia. It holds a neat conical to rounded crown of leathery grey green leaves and carries pale pink hibiscus-like flowers through late spring and summer.
It is one of the most wind-firm and salt-hardy broadleaf trees in cultivation, which is why it appears in Gulf and Australian coastal schedules as a first-line shelter and screening tree. Its seed capsules contain irritant fibres, so it is best kept away from play areas and seating.
Specifications
- Height8 to 15 metres
- Width5 to 8 metres
- Native toNorfolk Island, Lord Howe Island and coastal Queensland
- FoliageLeathery ovate leaves, dark green above and grey-scaly beneath; evergreen and held densely to the ground when unpruned
- Growth rateModerate
Conditions
- SoilPrefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils; tolerates poor coastal sands and alkaline ground
- LightFull sun to partial shade
- WaterLow to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- ClimateThrives in subtropical, warm temperate and coastal regions; handles hot dry summers with occasional irrigation
Additional Features
- FlowersPale pink to lilac hibiscus-like flowers, 4 to 5 cm across, through late spring and summer
- UsesCoastal shelter belts, windbreaks, screening, avenue and car park planting on exposed sites
- SpacingPlant 4 to 6 metres apart for a solid shelter belt, or 8 to 10 metres apart as an avenue
- Low MaintenanceHolds a tidy shape without pruning; lift the skirt only where clearance is needed
- Pest ResistanceNotably free of significant pests and diseases
- Salt ToleranceHigh salt tolerance, taking direct salt-laden wind and sandy saline soils
- Wind ToleranceVery wind-firm, one of its principal reasons for specification on exposed coastal sites
- Drought ToleranceGood once established, though appearance improves with occasional deep watering
- ToxicitySeed capsules contain fine irritant hairs; site away from play areas, seating and pedestrian desire lines
The Norfolk Island Hibiscus is the tree to reach for when a coastal scheme needs a dense evergreen screen that will not be burnt back by salt wind.