Description

General aspect and origins - Embothrium coccineum is also known as Chilean fire bush or Chilean fire tree. It is native to Chile, as its name suggests. This shrub or small tree can reach up to 30 ft (10 m) and more. However, it is generally smaller when grown in gardens. This tree has an evergreen to semi-decidious foliage, and stricking orange to scarlet flowers in spring, which explains the name "fire tree".
Leaves - Leaves of the Chilean fire tree are elliptic or lanceolate, entire and alternate. The foliage, depending on the climate, is evergreen to semi-decidious.
Flowers - In spring, the Chilean fire tree is covered with orange-red to scarlet tubular flowers the are grouped in racemes. When in full bloom, this tree really deserves the name "fire tree" or sometimes "flame tree". Also, it tends to be actively visited by humminbirds.

Culture

This ornemental tree is fairly frost hardy, as it can withstand negative temperatures down to about 15°F (-10°C). It can be thus grown in USDA zones 9 and warmer, and can even be tried in sheltered places in zones 8.
Soil - This tree likes deep and well-drained grounds.

Propagation

This tree can be propagated by seeds, cuttings or air-layers.