Crinodendron hookerianum.
The Chilean lantern tree. The common name actually does this plant justice. In early summer the dark evergreen foliage is completely covered in gorgeous waxy red lantern like flowers. An absolute haven for bees that can be seen working tirelessly on the flowers all day.
Introduced from Chile in1848 by Cornishman William lobb.
We have a good stand of Crinodendron here which I have hard pruned over a course of 5 years. This was to reduce the height so as to be able to see close up the flowers. In early spring I pruned several plants a year down to a bud about 1 metre from the ground. This technique has had some really impressive results. The plants are now 3-4 metres tall and flowering really well.
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