About

A fast-growing, upright tree up to 10m high, with red shoots, oblong leaves up to 6cm long, dark green above and pale green or slightly glaucous below, both simple leaves and pinnate leaves with from two to five but usually three leaflets, and with a profusion of aromatic white flowers about 4cm across from late summer to autumn; the flowers are visited by bees for nectar and pollen.

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
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a position sheltered from cold, drying winds and in full sun, but with the roots in shade in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil which is neutral or acidic
PruningPruning group 1 (little or no pruning of trees and shrubs) or pruning group 9 (late-flowering evergreen shrubs)
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