GINA PARKINSON looks at Chile's lantern tree...

A friend of mine is a keen collector of acid-loving plants and has several unusual specimens, one of which, Crinodendron hookerianum, is in full bloom this month.

A native of Chile and also known as the lantern tree, Crinodendron hookerianum is an upright shrub which, given time and the right conditions, can grow three metres or more high.

In late-spring and early-summer the shrub is covered in red lantern-shaped flowers hanging from red stems along the underside of the branches. The narrow, evergreen leaves are dark green with silver undersides and occasionally brown leathery fruit is carried.

The lantern tree will tolerate winter temperatures down to about minus ten Celsius, but cold wind chill may scorch the leaves especially in exposed sites. For best results it should be grown in a sheltered position in fertile, moist, but not waterlogged, acid soil and in shade or part shade. It can be grown as a free-standing shrub or trained against a sheltered north-facing wall or fence. This shrub can be slow to establish and it may take several years for a specimen to become mature enough to flower profusely, but once it has, the spring blooms are spectacular.

Care is easy once planted, as long as the position and soil are right. Avoid pruning, apart from removing branches damaged by cold winter winds as flowers are carried on mature wood. Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or by sowing seed in autumn.

Crinodendron hookerianum is the only species from the family likely to be seen in on sale in larger garden centres, but there are two others listed in the current edition of the Plant Finder. Crinodendron hookerianum "Ada Hoffmann" is available from two specialist nurseries while Crinodendron patagua can be found at a few nurseries. This latter shrub carries white, bell-shaped flowers in late summer and has round, purple green foliage. Although it is a stronger growing shrub than C.hookerianum it is more tender and will need a very sheltered position in the garden.

Updated: 08:54 Saturday, May 24, 2003