Azara microphylla 'Variegata'
Variegated small tooth azara, Box leaved Azara
- Height × spread
- 4.5m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Winter, Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
An exquisite but slow growing large shrub or small tree. It has very small oval leaves, delicately margined with cream. Refined in appearance, a good specimen can be breathtaking in its elegant beauty. It is like the most gracious, muslin-clad ballerina and floats deliciously in its tiers of horizontal branches. The vanilla scented flowers are tiny and come in late winter, followed rarely by red berries. This needs a dark background so its evanescent quality can be appreciated to the full. Its beauty merits a specimen position, if such can be contrived, so, with a sheltered background, it can sit apart. In spring daffodils suit it, and, in summer, an association of yellow daylilies could be charming.
- Flower colour
- Orange, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- Yes, sweet-vanilla
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4.5m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Winter, Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Architectural
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.