Tulipwood - Harpullia pendula

Tulipwood - Harpullia pendula — A Refined Native for Gardens, Streets and Feature Planting

The Tulipwood is one of SEQ's most elegant native trees — clean, compact, and ornamental without being fussy. Glossy dark green foliage year-round, small cream flowers in spring, and attractive orange-red seed pods that split to reveal black seeds — there's always something interesting happening on this tree through the seasons.

It's naturally tidy, handles suburban conditions well, and works across a wide range of landscape applications — from a neat street tree to a feature specimen to a garden backdrop. Low maintenance, long-lived, and genuinely underappreciated.

Why You'll Love It

• Glossy evergreen foliage — clean, attractive canopy year-round
• Decorative seed pods — orange-red pods split to reveal striking black seeds in autumn
• Naturally compact and tidy — minimal pruning needed to maintain a neat shape
• Versatile — suits street planting, garden features, and screening equally well
• Tough in suburban conditions — handles heat, pollution, and reflected surfaces
• Long-lived — a permanent garden asset

Landscape Uses

• Feature or specimen tree
• Street and driveway avenue planting
• Garden backdrop and screening
• Courtyard planting — compact enough for smaller spaces
• Native and rainforest garden settings

Available Sizes

• 300mm Bag — well-established plant, great starting point
• 45L Bag — advanced specimen for immediate impact
• 100L Bag — mature tree, ready to anchor a garden design
• 200L Bag — large advanced specimen for instant statement planting

Growth & Conditions

• Mature height: 6–12m
• Mature width: 4–8m
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Adaptable; prefers well-drained soils
• Watering: Regular during establishment; low to moderate once mature
• Climate: Excellent performer across all of SEQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it messy?
No more than any other tree. The seed pods are actually quite ornamental rather than a nuisance — they're a feature, not a problem. Clean canopy with minimal litter.

How fast does it grow?
Moderate grower — not the fastest native available, but consistent and reliable. The 45L and 100L sizes give you a meaningful head start.

Is it good for a driveway planting?
Yes — its naturally upright, tidy form makes it one of the better choices for driveway avenue planting where you want a formal look without constant maintenance.

Locally supplied and acclimatised to South East Queensland conditions. Need it installed? Key Co Landscapes offers professional tree installation across SEQ.