About
A dense and bushy, rounded evergreen shrub or tree, slowly reaching 10m. In summer, mature plants produce brush-like, red flowers composed of numerous tufts of stamens. The leaves are narrowly oval, shiny and green with yellow variegation and a red edge running round the leathery leaf blades.
About the genus
A genus of around 60 trees, shrubs and vines, most commonly grown for their showy, tufty predominantly red bottle brush-like flowers, which can also be orange, yellow or white. As they are frost tender, they are best suited as conservatory plants but can be seen outdoors in places such as the Scilly Isles or West Cornwall where frosts are extremely rare
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesCoastal, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly, water sparingly at other times. Plants become borderline hardy once the stems become woody at around 5 years
PruningSee pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free