Luma apiculata

RHS Plant Profile

temu

Other common names

arrayán, collimamol, luma, palo colorado

Synonyms

Myrtus luma
Myrtus apiculata misapplied

Shrubs

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
32 Suppliers

A large evergreen shrub, the older branches with a cinnamon- and cream-coloured bark. Leaves small, broadly ovate and aromatic; flowers to 2cm in width, white; berry purple

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Myrtaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Luma are evergreen shrubs or small trees, some with attractive bark, with simple, entire, aromatic leaves and 4- or 5-petalled, bowl-shaped white flowers, followed by fleshy fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Chile, Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed and semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but should be treated with caution in gardens where honey fungus is known to occur