It´s surprising that Embothrium coccineum flourishes so far up in the North! It became a tree many tried to grow in the eighties and nineties, having seen it in flower in Great Britain. At that time, most failed to be successful, even in my part of the world, which belongs to the mildest regions of Germany.
Mariette, that was interesting about the Embothrium in Germany, I did not know. We have a mild coastal climate, not cold in winter and cool in summer - to the great frustration of many people. Adding to that frustration is the year-round rain. It’s a shitty climate, really, but many plants like it. The botanical garden sits protected on the southwest facing slope of a hill and I can imagine is naturally well drained, and it is certainly well run. Their South America section was established around year 2000 and they have a number of trees and shrubs, from Chile in particular. My favourite there is a very large Buddleja globosa. I was told the Embothrium flowers well every year.
One tree that does not flower every year in our garden is the Japanese Summer Camellia, Stewartia pseudo-camellia. This year, though, it is full of buds and just now in the middle of its three or so weeks of flowering. Each flower lasts a few days on the tree, then a few more on the ground as it is dropped whole. While on the tree the flowers are very popular with bumble bees but I have never seen one on a fallen flower. Each year, of course, the tree has good autumn colour.
Knud
