Occasionally, you are brought up in your stride by the sight of a breathtaking, but unknown plant. One unusual tree, which certainly has the power to do this, is Embothrium coccineum. Commonly known as the Chilean Flame Bush, it seems to be alight with orange-red, flame-coloured flowers when in bloom.

The flowers are clusters of long tubes, which makes them show up all the more. A tree covered with flowers can give the impression that the branches are writhing flames. The leaves are a leathery dark green, which offsets the red flowers very well.

There is a problem in that the tree is not totally hardy, so it does best in mild areas near the coast, where winters are less severe. However, it is still worth trying to grow in sheltered positions further inland.

The best time for planting an Embothrium Coccineum is in the spring to give it a chance to become established before having to face a winter. In areas of milder climate, it can be planted any time between autumn and spring.

Keep the tree watered until it has become established and never allow the soil around it to dry out completely. No training or pruning is necessary, apart from removing any damaged or dead branches.

Growing Requirements

Position
This is a tree for a sunny position, although it will appreciate the protection of other trees around it. Despite coming from the border between Chile and Argentina, it is not totally hardy and should be given a sheltered position. Plant in deep, loamy, not too rich, well-drained soil and avoid animal manure.

Size
The Chilean Flame Bush can grow to a height of 50ft (16m) and spread around 20ft (6m).

Propagation
Plants are usually raised from seed. Although the plants often sucker, they rarely transplant successfully.

Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Embothrium

Cornus kousa var. chinensis was introduced from China in 1907 and differs from typical Cornus kousa in its taller, more open habit, usually forming a small tree. Despite having long-lasting pretty flowers, good autumn colour, an ability to blend well with other plants and a comparatively small size, the Chinese dogwood is not seen too often, even though it is easy to find in garden centres and nurseries.

The flowers are the most intriguing feature of this tree. They are very small and would be inconspicuous if it were not for the four white bracts (leaf-like attachments) that surround them. Because they are bracts, and not petals, they remain in flower for a very long time. They start white, but become flushed with pink as they age.

The leaves are a bright, fresh green colour, which sets off the flowers well. In autumn, they turn a wonderful range of oranges and reds. This tree is quite hardy and should survive most winters easily. Apart from removing any dead or damaged, wood, no pruning is required.

Growing Requirements

Soil
Cornus kousa var. chinensis is best grown as a specimen tree. It will grow well in a fertile, humus-rich, soil, located in full sun or partial shade. It is not recommended for growing in poor, shallow, chalk soils. It prefers an acid to neutral soil but can be grown in slightly alkaline conditions.

Size
The Chinese dogwood can grow to a height of 20ft (6m) and spread to around 15ft (4.5m), though in the average garden, 12ft to 15ft (3.5m to 4.5m) is the more likely ultimate height.

Propagation
It propagates well from seed, which should be cold stratified when ripe and then sown the following spring. It can also be propagated by taking cuttings in the summer.

Family: Cornaceae
Genus: Cornus

The silver birch is a genuine, native deciduous tree of the British countryside. Sometimes known as “Lady of the Woods” due to its graceful appearance, it is not a long-lived tree as most specimens become diseased or die by the age of 70. In the wild, it is a pioneer species, and will take over open areas or newly disturbed ground.

It has papery-white bark, which darkens and cracks as the tree ages, which leaves it prone to attack by the birch polypore fungus Piptoporus betulinus. The leaves of the silver birch are small, toothed and roughly diamond-shaped. Betula Pendula bears male catkins in early spring that can be as long as 4in (10cm) and their pollen is released in clouds during April. The emerald green leaves emerge shortly after and turn a golden colour before falling in the autumn.

Silver birch is ideal where only dappled shade is required as it has an open habit, allowing a range of plants to be grown underneath it – ferns look rather attractive in this position. The twigs can be bound together to make traditional brooms called besoms and are reputedly flown by witches!

Growing Requirements

Soil
The silver birch tolerates a wide range of habitats, but grows best on dry sandy soils and does well in higher altitudes than most other broadleaved species.

Size
Betula Pendula is relatively fast growing and it can reach a height of 82ft (25m) with a spread of around 32ft (10m) at maturity which it will reach in about 40 years.

Propagation
Plants are normally grown from seed although they can be grown from cuttings. The seeds are brown and yellow flake-like and are wind dispersed.

Family: Betulaceae
Genus: Betula