Fiddlewood
The fiddlewood is a lovely West Indian native tree grown for its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. Both the genus name citharexylum (from the Greek – kithara, lyre, and xylon, wood) and the common name of fiddlewood refer to the use of the tree’s timber to make sounding boards for musical instruments.
Plant details
Common name: Fiddlewood
Botanic name: Citharexylum spinosum
Best climate: Tropical and subtropical zones, and also warm microclimates in cooler areas with protection from frost when young.
Good points:
fast growing screen tree
lush, shiny leaves
attractive salmon-orange foliage colour in spring
sweetly perfumed flowers
relatively pest and disease free
Downside:
the tree is semi deciduous in cooler climates
when the thousands of tiny flowers die they drop on the ground and make a mess
fiddlewood foliage is very dense and can overshade neighbouring properties
Care:
Fiddlewoods prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade. They like a well drained soil enriched with organic matter. Water well particularly in dry times, and mulch to conserve moisture through summer. Apply a complete fertiliser in spring.
Getting started:
This tree can be grown from seed or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late spring.
Plants are available in spring and summer but may be harder to find during winter. Expect to pay around $7 for 140mm (5 1/2″) pots and $12-$14 for 200mm (8″) pots.