Crinodendron hookerianum Ada Hoffman

Crinodendron hookerianum 'Ada Hoffman' is a beautiful evergreen bush of mild and humid climate. It differs from the species type by its slightly earlier, pale-pink flowering, and by its longer leaves. Throughout the summer, it offers curious flowers in the shape of small fusiform and pendulous bells, which give it its vernacular name Chilean lantern tree. It requires a mild and humid climate as well as acidic and humus-rich soil. Planted in a large pot or at the back of a bed, this shrub will bring a beautiful touch of originality and refinement.

Originally from Chile, Crinodendron hookerianum (synonym Tricuspidaria lanceolata) belongs to the Elaeocarpaceae family. This species grows in the rainforests of the Chiloé Islands, as well as along the southern coast of Chile, always on acidic soil. It can withstand short frosts of around -7 to -10°C (19.4 to 14°F), but its above-ground parts suffer from -3°C (26.6°F). 

It is an upright, bushy shrub that reaches about 4m (13ft) in height and 3m (10ft) in width in our gardens, depending on growing conditions. It bears evergreen leaves, with a waxy texture, strongly veined, dark green, and narrowly elliptical, measuring 7 to 10cm (3 to 4in) long and 0.7 to 1.8cm (1in) wide. They are very ornamental, as are their red floral buds that form from autumn. The Chilean lantern tree produces solitary or paired pendulous flowers in the shape of small pink lanterns suspended on a long peduncle of 3 to 6cm (2in). The corolla is composed of 5 free fleshy petals, terminated by 3 pendulous urn-shaped teeth. This flowering is remarkable for its longevity, from April to June, starting on plants at least 5 years old. After pollination, they give way to fruit capsules. These capsules have 3 to 5 valves that open to release large rounded seeds that rarely germinate in our climates.

Crinodendron hookerianum 'Ada Hoffman' requires shelter from cold, cool winds and sunlight, and particularly appreciates misty climates that provide the humid atmosphere it enjoys. In these conditions, it is an outstanding shrub to occupy the back of an ericaceous bed with camellias, pieris, rhododendrons, evergreen or deciduous azaleas, or hydrangeas. For example, plant it against a west-facing wall or in a large pot on a semi-shaded terrace.