About
Lomatia ferruginea, fuinque, is an evergreen shrub or small tree from Chile with orange-downy shoots bearing leathery, pinnate to twice-pinnate leaves to 20 cm long. Axillary racemes of pale-yellow flowers with a red throat are produced in summer. A beautiful and ornamental Lomatia for a sheltered, moist, mild garden.
About the genus
Lomatia are evergreen trees and shrubs from South America and Australia with alternate, simple, pinnate or more deeply divided, often leathery leaves and racemes of tubular flowers that open to star-shaped, with a prominent, protruding style. Grown in sheltered, moist, mild gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toChile, Argentina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to acid soil, in full sun or part shade with shelter from cold winds
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationTake softwood cuttings in early summer, or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free