Eucryphias are desirable for the glory of their late summer bloom and, in cool-winter climates, for the brilliancy of autumn foliage. In 1859 E. glutinosa was introduced into England from Chile. Considered one of the hardiest, this tree may be seen in flower in the Arboretum of Washington, Seattle, where five different eucryphias are grown.
It differs from most eucryphias in having leaves composed of three to five leaflets instead of being entire. These leathery leaflets, 2 inches long, are dark green and resemble maple leaves. In autumn they go shades of orange, crimson and bronze. The flower, single and produced near the end of a shoot, is a shallow white bowl usually over 3 inches across. It is centered by a handsome brush of stamens and reminds one of a single camellia bloom or of stewartia. For its hest enjoyment the tree should he placed where light can catch the pink in the spring shoots and in August, shine on the succulent-looking petals.
E. glutinosa is not easy to transplant and should be placed in its permanent location while young, for pot-bound plants never quite recover.
As far as has been determined. E. nymansensis is the best species for California gardens. Eucryphias like soil rich in acid humus, the kind of soil needed by European heathers. rhododendrons and dogwoods, but E. nymonsensis is more tolerant of the non-acid soil found in most parts of California and of the alkaline water. Even so, it should be helped out by acid fertilizer. E. nymansensis is a superb natural hybrid between E. glutinosa and E. cordifolio. Most eucryphias must be fifteen years old before flowering but E. nymansepsis blooms when younger.
It is a good tree for woodland and a very free bloomer. The specimens I saw at Nymans (the Sussex garden where, in 1915, the chance seedling sprang up) were about 35-foot flower-laden columns, and the lawn beneath them was snowy with petals.
Eucryphia cordifolia is distinctly tender in the Northwest. On the Cornwall Coast it is used as a windbreak and the trees are compact 36-foot columns, bushy to the ground. In a Somerset garden I saw an enormous specimen, planted soon after E. cordifolia was introduced from southern Chile in 1851, which was a forest tree 120 feet high. The 3-inch evergreen leaves, carried closely all up the stem, are cordate – oblong, stiff, dark green with wavy margins. The shiny 2-inch white flowers have fluted petals and the anthers are crimson.
Eucryphias need rich humus, good drainage and a ground cover to shade their roots. Low heathers can be used in the Northwest and Cotoneaster Dammeri or trailing manzanitas in the South. Strong sun will scorch the flowers.
by R Lester – 64344
