Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10 where it is easily grown in fertile, humusy, well-drained soils with regular and consistent moisture in full sun to part shade. Best in light shade. Appreciates a sheltered location which provides protection from cold winds. Propagate by cuttings.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Azara microphylla, commonly called box leaf azara, is a small broadleaf evergreen tree or large shrub that is native to understory woodland areas and wood margins in Chile and Argentina. In garden settings, it typically grows in a fountain-like shape to 12’ tall, but sometimes may mature over time in the wild to as much as 15-30’ tall. This shrub/tree is particularly noted for its late winter to early spring (February-March) bloom of tiny, apetalous flowers (each to 1/2” across) which perfume the air with a strong intoxicating aroma varyingly described as having overtones of vanilla or chocolate. Flowers bloom in tiny clusters from the leaf axils, with the flower color coming entirely from showy greenish-yellow to yellow stamens. Flowers are followed by small, one-seeded, spherical white berries (1/ 4” long). Arching branches in a herringbone-like pattern are clad with small, simple, obovate, shiny, very dark green leaves (to 3/4” long) which sometimes have a few tiny marginal teeth.
In the U. S., this plant is primarily grown in California and along the coast in the Pacific Northwest.
Genus name probably honors Spanish naturalist Felix de Azara (1742-1821) who spent time in South America in the late 1700s doing research rather than Spanish diplomat and patron of science Jose Nicholas Azara (1731-1804).
Specific epithet comes from Latin words micro meaning tiny and phylla meaning leaf in obvious reference to leaf size.
Azara microphylla, commonly called box leaf azara, is a small broadleaf evergreen tree or large shrub that is native to understory woodland areas and wood margins in Chile and Argentina. In garden settings, it typically grows in a fountain-like shape to 12’ tall, but sometimes may mature over time in the wild to as much as 15-30’ tall. This shrub/tree is particularly noted for its late winter to early spring (February-March) bloom of tiny, apetalous flowers (each to 1/2” across) which perfume the air with a strong intoxicating aroma varyingly described as having overtones of vanilla or chocolate. Flowers bloom in tiny clusters from the leaf axils, with the flower color coming entirely from showy greenish-yellow to yellow stamens. Flowers are followed by small, one-seeded, spherical white berries (1/ 4” long). Arching branches in a herringbone-like pattern are clad with small, simple, obovate, shiny, very dark green leaves (to 3/4” long) which sometimes have a few tiny marginal teeth.
In the U. S., this plant is primarily grown in California and along the coast in the Pacific Northwest.
Genus name probably honors Felix de Azara (1742-1821), Spanish naturalist, who spent time in South America in the late 1700s doing research rather than Jose Nicholas Azara (1731-1804), Spanish diplomat and patron of science.
Specific epithet comes from Latin words micro meaning tiny and phylla meaning leaf in obvious reference to leaf size.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Grows well against south-facing walls which provide a sheltered environment. Interesting speciemen. Informal hedge. Screen.