A native of Chile where it grows in woodlands 100-2000 feet above sea level, this vigorous evergreen shrub is upright and stiffly branched. The oval to lance shaped, shiny dark green leaves are leathery, 2½” long, and tipped with a spine. The rich orange flowers are borne in clusters of two to four in late spring and are ¾ inch wide. They give way to egg-shaped fruits, ½ inch long that ripen in the fall to a blue-black color. Plants make an excellent impenetrable hedge that needs only one pruning a year.
Type: Evergreen shrub
Outstanding Feature: Flowering evergreen shrub
Form: Rounded
Growth Rate: Slow
Bloom: Orange flowers in clusters of 2-4 in late spring
Size: 5-6.5’ H x 5-6.5’ W
Light: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Care: Mulch to conserve moisture; prune lightly when necessary to maintain shape and size in summer after flowering.
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Semi-ripe cuttings in mid summer.
Karen Meyers