Chilean Myrtle
If a shrub can keep its leaves when all about it the others are losing theirs and blaming it on the heat, then it’s time for all of us to plant Luma apiculata. Like so many others, our
This large evergreen shrub is native to the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina where apparently there are very long lived specimens growing so densely that they leave almost no room for other tree species.
I planted our Luma apiculata ten years ago and in that time it has reached about seven foot in height and five across. It is growing against a west facing wall and spends most of the day in dappled shade. The masses of shiny white flowers are fragrant and very attractive to bees and other pollinators. They are followed by black aromatic berries. As the plants age they get hardier, and it takes a number of years before you get the famous cinnamon and cream coloured peeling bark.
This feisty shrub (or small tree) is hardy in most parts of the UK (H4) but does best with a little shelter. It is happy to be pruned but make sure to carry this out in the spring.
NB Louise has published a beautifully produced book of her plant profiles – A Plant for Each Week of the Year. It costs £9.99 and is for sale in our online shop here.
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