Grown for its vivid scarlet flowers, Embothrium coccineum is a tall, fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree with an upright, suckering habit. The lance-shaped, leathery leaves are deep green. For several weeks in late spring and early summer, clusters of spidery, waxy, orange-red, tubular flowers appear; these have four recurved tips and protruding stigmas. Grows best in soils with low fertility; avoid phosphate-rich fertilisers. The Chilean Fire Tree is not reliably hardy in colder areas, and does best in mild, wet areas such as the south-west of Ireland; a good plant for lime-free urban gardens near the coast.
Site: Sheltered Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid to neutral soil Position: Full sun or partial shade Season of interest: Late spring to early summer in particular Hardiness: Hardy in milder areas Height: 13-26’ (4-8m) Spread: 8-13’ (2.5-4m) in 10 years
