About
Small evergreen shrub, rare in cultivation, about 4m tall in the wild, producing dark green leaves, grey-green beneath with a brown covering of hairs known as 'indumentum', and white, cup-shaped flowers to 4cm across, from late summer to early autumn.
About the genus
Eucryphia can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple or pinnate leaves and solitary bowl-shaped white flowers in the leaf axils in summer or autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationSuitable for the mildest counties only, especially those with little frost. Grow in a sheltered position in full sun, but with the roots in shade in fertile, humus-rich, nutral to acid, moist but well-drained soil. Ideal for container cultivation in ericaceous potting compost and overwintered in a conservatory or frost-free greenhouse
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, and overwinter young plants in a cool greenhouse
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus