Crinodendron hookerianum — a striking ornamental shrub/small tree often called the Chilean Lantern Tree:
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🌿 What It Is
Crinodendron hookerianum is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Elaeocarpaceae family, native to the temperate rainforests of Chile. It’s valued in gardens for its distinctive lantern-shaped flowers and glossy foliage.  
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🌸 Appearance
•Foliage: Dark green, narrow, leathery leaves that stay evergreen year-round.  
•Flowers: Pendant urn or lantern-shaped blooms, typically crimson or deep red, hanging from stems in late spring to summer.  
•Shape: Multi-stemmed shrub or small tree.  
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📏 Size & Growth
•Can reach about 3–8 m tall and up to ~5 m wide in favourable conditions.  
•Growth starts relatively slow but becomes more substantial with age.  
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🌱 Growing Conditions
☀️ Light
•Best in partial shade (woodland-style gardens or sheltered spots).  
•Can tolerate full sun if the roots stay shaded and cool.  
🧑‍🌾 Soil
•Prefers acidic, moist but well-drained soil, rich in humus.  
🌤 Climate & Hardiness
•Hardy in milder climates (protected sites in UK, e.g., coastal or south/west areas).  
•Young buds and new shoots can be sensitive to hard frost; shelter from drying winds helps.  
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🌼 Flowering
•Flowers from late spring into summer (and sometimes longer in favourable spots).  
•The blooms are showy and hang like glowing lanterns, making the plant a standout feature in the garden.  
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🧑‍🌾 Care Tips
•Planting time: Spring or autumn is ideal.  
•Mulching: Use ericaceous (acid-loving) mulch to help retain soil moisture and acidity.  
•Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.  
•Pruning: Light pruning after flowering to remove dead or wayward shoots; avoid heavy pruning.  
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🌍 Where It’s From
•Endemic to south-central Chile, typically along streams and in temperate rainforests.  
•Introduced into British gardens in the 19th century and widely appreciated for its ornamental value.