Re: Brachychiton acerifolium

From what I've seen of the several Brachychiton acerifolium trees here in cooler parts of the SF Bay Area, they are very shy to ever bloom without more heat than a Monterey area garden is likely to get, and even when they do bloom in warmer locations such as Hayward or Fremont, it is usually only a branch or two rather than the whole tree. None of the more common Brachychiton species seen locally here in Berkeley such as rupestris or discolor bloom reliably here, but the 30 year old B. discolor at the Ruth Bancroft Garden can look gorgeous in the odd year(s) that the whole tree comes into bloom at the same time. Again, it will be less likely to bloom well in Monterey. Brachychiton populneum is the most commonly seen species by the bay, being used as a street tree in older neighborhoods of Alameda. Compared to how much more graceful and floriferous this looks in the Sacramento valley or the desert, it appears stunted and gawky under our cooler climate.

If you're intrigued by the idea of less commonly seen southern hemisphere trees that do well right along the coast, it would be worth your while to check out the collections at UCSC Arboretum. A few things that come to mind would include Agonis flexuosus 'After Dark', Cunonia capensis, Cussonias such as spicata or paniculata, or Psoralea pinnata. Quite a few Acacias, Callistemons and Melaleucas would also be good candidates. Personally I wouldn't recommend any of the Brachychitons as they all come from more hot dry or warm subtropical habitats.
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