Azara - Vanilla Trees
The 15 or so species of this South American genus of shrubs and small trees are characterized by neat, glossy, evergreen foliage and masses of small, yellow flowers. It includes trees from the Chilean subantarctic rainforests of the south as well as from the drier evergreen scrubs of the lower Andean slopes further north. A characteristic feature is the way each branch node has one small and one larger leaf. While they are quite attractive plants, Azaras may become leggy with age. Judicious pruning will correct this.
Azaras prefer cool but mild and humid climates and grow best in sheltered sites in moist soil. In colder areas they can be grown near walls to protect them from severe frosts. Propagate from cuttings in summer.
A lanceolata
This species from southern Chile is graceful in growth habit and foliage, forming a slender shrub or small tree to 6m high with drooping branches. The narrow, toothed, glossy dark green leaves each accompanied by a smaller leaf make a distinctive pattern. In spring it produces short clusters of small, golden yellow flowers that are composed mainly of the male stamens.
A microphylla
This erect, small tree may reach 6m in the garden, more in the wild in its native Chile and western Argentina. A vigorous grower with fine foliage, in late winter it produces numerous clusters of tiny, fragrant vanilla scented flowers half-hidden under the leaf sprays. This is the most adaptable member of the genus. The cultivar ‘Variegata’ has leaves attractively variegated with cream.
A serrata
This small tree grows to 9 m in the wild in Chile, but in cultivation is usually a shrub of 3 –4m, often with a twiggy habit and rather sparse foliage. The thick, glossy, rounded leaves have coarse teeth. Stalked clusters of fragrant, deep golden flowers appear in late spring or early summer.
Azaras are propagated by cuttings taken in late summer but often take some time to produce roots.
These trees are excellent for the small garden providing a neat evergreen background to boarders or landscape features. They do not make the best specimen tree when older but are well worth growing in the garden.
The 15 or so species of this South American genus of shrubs and small trees are characterized by neat, glossy, evergreen foliage and masses of small, yellow flowers. It includes trees from the Chilean subantarctic rainforests of the south as well as from the drier evergreen scrubs of the lower Andean slopes further north. A characteristic feature is the way each branch node has one small and one larger leaf. While they are quite attractive plants, Azaras may become leggy with age. Judicious pruning will correct this.
Azaras prefer cool but mild and humid climates and grow best in sheltered sites in moist soil. In colder areas they can be grown near walls to protect them from severe frosts. Propagate from cuttings in summer.
A lanceolata
This species from southern Chile is graceful in growth habit and foliage, forming a slender shrub or small tree to 6m high with drooping branches. The narrow, toothed, glossy dark green leaves each accompanied by a smaller leaf make a distinctive pattern. In spring it produces short clusters of small, golden yellow flowers that are composed mainly of the male stamens.
A microphylla
This erect, small tree may reach 6m in the garden, more in the wild in its native Chile and western Argentina. A vigorous grower with fine foliage, in late winter it produces numerous clusters of tiny, fragrant vanilla scented flowers half-hidden under the leaf sprays. This is the most adaptable member of the genus. The cultivar ‘Variegata’ has leaves attractively variegated with cream.
A serrata
This small tree grows to 9 m in the wild in Chile, but in cultivation is usually a shrub of 3 –4m, often with a twiggy habit and rather sparse foliage. The thick, glossy, rounded leaves have coarse teeth. Stalked clusters of fragrant, deep golden flowers appear in late spring or early summer.
Azaras are propagated by cuttings taken in late summer but often take some time to produce roots.
These trees are excellent for the small garden providing a neat evergreen background to boarders or landscape features. They do not make the best specimen tree when older but are well worth growing in the garden.