Christmas Bells Plant Profile
Christmas Bells (Blandfordia grandiflora) are among Australia’s most distinctive summer flowering native plants. With tall stems carrying clusters of striking red and yellow tubular blooms around Christmas time, they create a spectacular display in both garden beds and containers.
Naturally occurring in coastal regions of New South Wales and southern Queensland, this clump-forming perennial is highly regarded for its long-lasting flowers and suitability as a cut flower. Although admired in cultivation, it has declined in parts of its natural habitat due to land clearing.
Well suited to native gardens, rockeries and large pots, Christmas Bells can also be incorporated into mixed garden styles where good drainage and consistent moisture can be provided.
What Are Christmas Bells?
Blandfordia grandiflora is a tufted perennial that grows from a tuberous root system rather than a true bulb. Flower stems can reach close to one metre in height, often carrying up to 20 pendulous, waxy flowers per stem.
The blooms are typically red with yellow tips, although pure yellow forms are sometimes seen. Flowering occurs through summer, usually peaking around the Christmas period — hence the common name.
Where Do Christmas Bells Grow Naturally?
In the wild, Christmas Bells are found in heathland and open forest environments, generally in sandy, moist but well-drained soils. They often grow in areas that receive regular rainfall and seasonal moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Understanding their natural habitat provides useful guidance for cultivation. Replicating these conditions in the garden — particularly drainage combined with consistent moisture — is key to success.
How To Grow Blandfordia grandiflora – Basic Care
Christmas Bells prefer:
- Full sun to light shade
- Well-drained, humus-rich sandy soil
- Consistent moisture through spring and summer
- Protection from heavy frost
Although they naturally occur in damp environments, they do not tolerate stagnant or waterlogged soil. Good drainage is essential.
In many home gardens, growing them in containers or large pots provides the best control over soil conditions and moisture levels. This also helps reduce competition from surrounding plants and protects the developing flower stems.
A suitable growing medium can include composted organic matter combined with coarse sand to improve drainage while retaining sufficient moisture.
Try growing them in a mixture of peat, or composted sawdust fine and coarse clean sand.
The ideal conditions are sunny with consistent moisture, so maybe a hollow at the lower part of a garden slope where natural moisture occurs, however not water logged areas. Pictured right (lower) is a specimen growing in our own garden.
Can You Grow Christmas Bells in Pots?
Yes, Christmas Bells perform well in containers provided the pot is deep enough to accommodate their tuberous root system. Use a high-quality native potting mix with added coarse material for drainage.
Container growing allows better management of watering and soil structure, particularly in heavier clay soils. Position pots in a sunny location with some protection from harsh afternoon heat.
Watering and Feeding
Regular watering is important during active growth and flowering. The soil should remain evenly moist but never saturated.
Apply a light dressing of compost or a low-phosphorus native fertiliser in spring to encourage steady growth and flowering. Avoid heavy feeding, as excessive nutrients can produce foliage at the expense of flowers.
Propagation
Christmas Bells can be propagated by division or from fresh seed.
Division
Established clumps may be carefully divided during the dormant period. This method is reliable and often results in flowering the following season.
Growing From Seed
Fresh seed generally germinates readily, often within two to three weeks under suitable conditions. However, plants grown from seed take patience, typically flowering after three to four years as they establish a strong root system.
From seed the plant will take around 3 – 4 years to flower although germination usually takes place in 2 – 3 weeks. Propagation by division of rhizomes is also possible and this usually provides flowers the same year.
How Long Do Christmas Bells Take to Flower?
Plants raised from division may flower within a year. Seed-grown plants require several years to mature, with flowering usually beginning after three to four seasons.
Initial growth is slow while the plant develops its underground structure, but once established, clumps increase steadily in size.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name: Blandfordia grandiflora
- Common Name: Christmas Bells
- Family: Blandfordiaceae
- Origin: NSW to QLD
- Height: 0.8m foliage, up to 1.5m in flower
- Spread: Clumping to approximately 0.3m
- Position: Full sun to light shade
- Soil: Well-drained, sandy, humus-rich
- Flowering Time: Summer
- Frost Tolerance: Very light frost only
- Drought Tolerance: Requires moisture during growth
Blandfordia Varieties
Other species within the genus include:
- Blandfordia nobilis – Found mainly in coastal regions of NSW, with small populations extending into eastern Victoria.
- Blandfordia punicea – Native to Tasmania, featuring deeper red-toned flowers.
All species are attractive flowering plants suited to rock gardens and native plantings when provided with appropriate drainage.
Availability
Christmas Bells are widely admired but not always consistently available in all retail nurseries. Commercially they are grown for the cut flower trade, and plants are sometimes offered through specialist native plant nurseries.
As wild populations have declined in some areas, it is important to source plants from reputable growers rather than collecting from natural habitats.
Availability can vary seasonally, particularly in the lead-up to summer flowering. Checking with native plant specialists or local growers is often the most reliable way to locate stock.
Final Notes
With their brilliant summer flowers and distinctly Australian character, Christmas Bells remain a rewarding addition to suitable gardens. While they require specific soil and moisture conditions, careful site selection or container growing makes them achievable for many gardeners.
Given the right conditions, they will provide a striking seasonal display year after year.