About
Azara microphylla is a sizable evergreen shrub or a diminutive tree characterized by its tiny, shiny dark green foliage. It produces small clusters of deep yellow flowers that emit a vanilla fragrance, appearing in early spring. The plant occasionally bears small red berries, although fruiting is infrequent.
About the genus
Azara consists of evergreen shrubs or small trees characterized by simple leaves that frequently appear in asymmetrical pairs. These plants produce tiny, aromatic yellow flowers featuring prominent stamens, which grow in clusters or spikes emerging from the leaf axils. In some instances, these flowers give way to white or pale purple berries.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
- Native to
- Chile, Argentina
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Favours a sheltered position in sun or partial shade with a deep, humus-rich soil. Shelter from cold, drying winds
- Pruning
- Pruning group 8 or pruning group 13 for wall-trained specimens
- Propagation
- Propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility