Embothrium coccineum (Lanceolatum Group) 'Ñorquinco'

RHS Plant Profile

Chilean fire-bush

Synonyms

Embothrium coccineum (Lanceolatum Group) 'Ñorquinco Valley'
Embothrium lanceolatum 'Ñorquinco Valley'
Embothrium coccineum 'Norquinco Valley'

Shrubs Trees

A large, erect, evergreen shrub or small tree, with narrowly lanceolate leaves and brilliant orange-red, tubular flowers in great abundance in late spring and early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: 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

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Proteaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Embothrium are evergreen trees or shrubs, with simple leaves and showy tubular flowers with four recurved lobes
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in a fertile, humus-rich soil but may require shelter from cold, drying winds. A useful woodland plant

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 13 to 16°C in spring or take semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer and root with bottom heat. Suckers can be removed in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus