Lanterns of Chile

This shrub is a spectacular native of Chile, again - so many beautiful plants are from there.

Crinodendron hookerianum seems not to be as common in Chile as many other familiar shrubs; when I was there in 2005 we saw it only once, whereas other plants such as fuchsia, berberis and embothrium, to name but three, grew in profusion everywhere.

This shrub needs an acid soil and is a fast grower, easily propagated.  Reasonably hardy, though liable to frost damage in the coldest winters - every home should have one!