Amomyrtus luma
Luma, Palo madrona, Cauchao
Also known as Myrtus lechleriana
- Height × spread
- 4.5m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This can be grown as a shrub or a small tree. It is very dense and solid with broad oval leaves that are a dark shiny green, copper-coloured when young. The young stems are reddish, and in May the tree has small fragrant white flowers with a mass of filigree stamens. The berries that follow start red and change to black, they can also be eaten. In short, a small tree that has everything. Regrettably it is only hardy enough to grow out of doors in the warmest parts of the country.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Spring foliage
- Red-copper
- Stem colour
- Brown, Red
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet-vanilla
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 4.5m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Bee attraction
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Deer
- May be nibbled by deer
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
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.