Ficus Hillii or Weeping Fig : Plant Profile and Landscaping Uses
Ficus microcarpa Hillii, weeping fig, hills weeping fig or ficus hillii. Fast growing evergreen shade trees suitable for parks and gardens. Ficus hillii will grow to around 16 to 20m and makes an excellent shade tree. Available as tubestock, standards and advanced trees. Used widely as a hedge plant. Ficus microcarpa hillii ‘Flash’ is a popular cultivar
Popular because they are easy to prune, and in fact have been heavily pruned in many areas to make the familiar ‘ball on a stick’ look. They also can be pleached to make a good narrow hedge.
Although Ficus Hillii or Weeping Fig will naturally grow into a large tree (10 -15m) they can be grown in a container and pruned, easily kept to around 2m.
The root system of F.hillii is fairly vigorous and fibrous, best kept away from drains and buildings if planted in the ground.The glossy green foliage and smooth grey bark make them a favorite with landscapers in formal situations.
Care
Drought tolerant, able to cope with poor and compacted soil and a good shade tree for the right position, or as a topiary or pruned specimen in a pot.
The best time to prune is 4 weeks before the strongiest growing season, look for the first new shoots and then you can gently shape the tree. Always use clean and sharp pruning equipment to prevent damage and the spread of disease.
The root system is fairly strong and they resent distubance, a little like Lagerstoemia, Ficus Hillii or Weeping Fig tend to send up suckers if roots are ‘upset’.
Although they are often planted successfully in containers they can become a problem if the root system becomes to big. Root pruning can overcome this.
Wholesale Ficus Hillii (Weeping Fig) Nurseries
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au
1870 South Gippsland Hwy Cranbourne Vic 3977 - email:sales@faceysnursery.com.au
Growers of a wide range of native & exotic trees, shrubs, ground covers and climbers in 14cm pots Promotional & PBR Lines and garden hardy favourites. Supplying all states. www.faceysnursery.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au