{"product_id":"topiary-ficus-microcarpa-hillii-flash-clouds","title":"TOPIARY \/ Ficus microcarpa hillii 'Flash' (Clouds)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTopiary Hills Weeping Fig (Clouds) \/ Topiary Ficus Flash (Clouds)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFicus microcarpa hillii 'Flash' (Clouds)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moraceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e EAstern Australia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen shrub\/tree (trained as cloud-pruned topiary)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Flash’ shaped into cloud pads (niwaki style) gives instant sculptural drama for Adelaide gardens. Dense, glossy foliage sits on tiered branches you can “float” above a clean trunk, reading as living art year-round. It’s fast to establish, clips cleanly, handles heat and coastal wind, and makes a knockout feature in the ground or in big statement pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.8–3 m H × 1.2–2.5 m W as maintained topiary (unclipped trees can grow much larger)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30-60 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bold, glossy mid- to deep-green leaves; naturally dense\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Inconspicuous; occasional small figs if not clipped (usually minimal on maintained topiary)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen structure with repeated lime-green flushes after clipping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense shelter for small birds; figs (if allowed) may attract fruit-eaters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought \u0026amp; heat tolerant once established; wind \u0026amp; coastal tolerant; light frost hardy (protect young plants from hard frosts); copes with urban conditions. Strong roots—use a root barrier and allow space from pipes and paving\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feature\/specimen: 2.5–4 m from other trees\/structures; Large pots: one per 55–70 cm container (heavy, well-weighted)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e No — mildly toxic\/irritant to cats and dogs. The milky latex sap can irritate skin and mouths.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade (more sun = tighter pads \u0026amp; faster response after clipping)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained loam or sandy loam; enrich clay and avoid waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (more in heatwaves\/containers); monthly in winter if dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pinch\/clip 4–8×\/yr to define pads (little and often); a structural prune late winter to refine tiers; feed early spring (slow-release balanced fertiliser) and again mid-summer for potted specimens; rotate pots quarterly for even light; stake young trunks in windy sites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30–50+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slightly acidic to mildly alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSignature cloud-pruned specimen for courtyards, entries and pool terraces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModern\/Japanese palettes with gravel, stone and low groundcovers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge containers to frame doors or anchor outdoor rooms; uplight for night drama\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA living sculpture that thrives in Adelaide: glossy, evergreen pads, quick recovery after a clip, and year-round architectural impact. With simple, regular pinching, your Ficus Flash Cloud stays gallery-ready—no flowers to litter, just pure form and polish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"400mm Pot","offer_id":47355968389372,"sku":"TOPI-FICU-MICR-HILL-400MM","price":449.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500mm Pot","offer_id":48796041216252,"sku":"TOPI-FICU-MICR-HILL-500MM","price":687.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/topiary-ficus-microcarpa-hillii-flash-clouds-weeping-fig-500mm-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1771480743","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/topiary-ficus-microcarpa-hillii-flash-clouds","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}