About
Embothrium coccineum, the Chilean fire bush, is one of the most spectacular of all hardy flowering trees � an upright, evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub or small tree with leathery, spear-shaped leaves and brilliant clusters of narrowly tubular, scarlet flowers in late spring and early summer. In full bloom it is among the most vividly coloured of any temperate garden plant.
About the genus
Embothrium are evergreen trees and shrubs from South America in the Proteaceae family, producing simple, leathery leaves and clusters of spectacular, tubular, scarlet or orange-red flowers in late spring and early summer. Grown as ornamental specimen trees in acid, well-drained soils in mild, sheltered gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal
Native toChile
Care notes
CultivationGrows well in a fertile, humus-rich soil but may require shelter from cold, drying winds. A useful woodland plant
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 13 to 16°C in spring or take semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer and root with bottom heat. Suckers can be removed in late winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus