The Plant That Took 6 Years To Bloom
That would be Embothrium coccineum, also known as "Chilean Flame Tree" or "Chilean Fire Bush". A very persnickety plant, it was planted in February 2017 and is now about 4 feet tall and has finally bloomed. The Gossler's, in their excellent book "The Gossler Guide to the Best Hardy Shrubs" says that it will grow anywhere from 4 feet shrub to a 50 feet tree. In Rueben Hatch's garden (he sadly passed away last year), a specimen there is about 15 feet tall. It is the largest one I've ever seen.
This plant will only grow in western Washington, Oregon and northern California. I love the Gossler's description: "People wanting to grow E. coccineum in the eastern part of the country will find that it dies as soon as it gets in the box and knows where it is going."
Unfortunately, I planted it behind the enormous shrub rose 'Buff Beauty' which totally obscures it and it also resides close to the Parrotia (Ironwood) which is beginning to shade it but I do not intend to move it as it would mean certain death.
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Comments
As it happened, I photographed Embothrium coccineum yesterday at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. It is difficult for me to judge that it's hight, maybe 10'-15', just outside the greenhouse. Those blooms are hard to resist.
Chavli
You’ve piqued my interest in the Gosslers. I ordered the book.