You won't forget this Chilean show-stopper
The Chilean flame tree
The Chilean flame tree is aptly named -- its flowers are a flaming scarlet red colour and it is originally hails from Chile and its neighbouring countries. Once seen in flower, this tree is never forgotten.
It is widely grown in the milder parts of the country, especially in southern Munster, but it can be seen around the country in any relatively mild area.
In its native range in the Central and Southern Andes, the flame tree, Embothrium coccineum, is a variable plant -- some are evergreen, some bushy and some even have yellow flowers. The type grown here is generally fairly tall, reaching five or six metres in good conditions, with brilliant orange-red flowers. The flame tree flowers in late spring and early summer, and some plants are showing colour already. The display peaks in May but lasts for several weeks from start to finish.
It is not completely hardy and can be killed by hard frost as a young plant. But, as an older plant, it is much tougher and has been known to withstand harsh winters. It is important to cover young plants in inland areas for the first few years. The hardiness of plants varies because there are various clones.
The soil must be acidic or neutral, the flame tree does not tolerate lime. Unlike growing a small rhododendron or camellia, where it is possible to change the soil pH over a small area, the flame tree is too big to be accommodated in this way.
In addition to being acidic or neutral, the soil must light, well-drained and deep, but moisture-retentive and not overly rich. Most areas with acid soil fall into this category. As an indicator of acid soil, hydrangeas in such areas are purple or blue. The ideal soil should have plenty of well-rotted humus, and this can be dug in, or applied as a mulch, especially in the form of leaf-mould.
Choose the planting spot carefully because this is a very showy tree and needs to be given a good position where it can be seen. but note that it can jar when seen against a backdrop of natural countryside. Plant the tree carefully, preparing the ground well, and afterwards ensure no weed or grass competition, over a circle of about one metre diameter. The young tree will grow at a rapid rate, at least 60cms of growth each year. It will flower just a few years after planting and will flower reliably each year afterwards.
It needs good shelter to grow fast and avoid damage to the foliage. Although it seems finicky, it is actually quite easy to grow, given the right conditions.
