Best time to travel to San Francisco

The Red Flowering Gum in San Francisco

In spite of its name, a red gum blooms with bright red, pink, orange and even white flowers

Best time: July–August

The Red Flowering Gum
The Red Flowering Gum

Red gums belong to the most outstanding, colorful and widespread trees growing in San Francisco. During blooming season that falls on July and August, red gums flourish with clusters of colorful flowers. In addition to the red, there are orange, pink, and white flowers. It is hardly possible to reproduce a tree with the same flowers coloring using its seeds. At the same time, reproduction from cuttings rarely turns out to be successful. That is why San Francisco red gums blossoms differ so much in their tints. The very seeds of a red gum are large in size, smooth and woody, and resemble the bowl of a pipe. They appear on the trees right after the blooming season and often remain hanging on the branches until the next summer ​when red gums burst into flowers again. Although this species originates from Western Australia, it occupies small area there. However, San Francisco appears to be extremely favorable for these trees, as they grow at every turn across the city.

Practical info

When is the best time to visit San Francisco to see the Red Flowering Gum in full bloom?

The months of July and August are the best time to visit San Francisco to observe the Red Flowering Gum in full bloom. During this period, the tree produces clusters of flowers that make them stand out among others. Visiting San Francisco during these months will provide a chance to experience the city's beauty at its peak. Show more

Where in San Francisco can one find these beautiful Red Flowering Gum trees?

Red Flowering Gums are widespread across the city of San Francisco and can be found everywhere. San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park, and the Presidio are famous places to witness the Red Flowering Gum trees in their full splendor. Additionally, the city neighborhoods also have these trees that line the streets with their remarkable and colorful appearance. Show more

What makes San Francisco so favorable for the growth of Red Flowering Gum trees?

San Francisco favors the growth of Red Flowering Gum as the city's unique microclimate suits the tree's growth requirements perfectly. The mild temperature, regular foggy weather, and low-moderately alkaline soil closely resemble the tree's natural habitat. Although the tree mostly grows in Western Australia, San Francisco provides the tree with the necessary environment to flourish better. Show more

What other unique trees or plants can be found in San Francisco besides Red Flowering Gum?

Besides the Red Flowering Gum, San Francisco homes several unique trees and plants. A tour through Golden Gate Park can give visitors a chance to observe some of the oldest and tallest trees in the city, like the Monterey Cypress and Blue Gum eucalyptus. San Francisco Silk Tassel, California poppy, and Douglas iris are also interesting plants one can observe in the city. Show more

How can one reproduce Red Flowering Gum trees in their own garden or backyard?

Reproducing a Red Flowering Gum through cuttings is often unsuccessful and challenging. Using seeds may produce different flower colors, so growing the tree from seedlings is preferable. The tree's seeds are big, smooth, and can remain suspended on the tree until the next summer's flowering season. Under favorable and controlled conditions, these seeds germinate well, making seedlings the recommended way to grow this remarkable tree. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin