Azara lanceolata (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 5m
Eventual Spread: 5m
Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Salicaceae
Azara lanceolata is an evergreen shrub with lax habit. Its dark green leaves are lanceolate to elliptic with serrate margins, up to 7cm long and 2cm broad. Its fragrant yellow hermaphrodite flowers appear in clusters and are up to 2cm across. Its pink fruit is a berry and up to 6mm across.
Azara lanceolata Berries (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Azara lanceolata, commonly known as the Narrow Leaf Azara, is native to Argentina and Chile. In its native habitat it grows in marshes bogs, river and lake banks.
The etymological root of the binomial name Azara is named after Félix de Azara (1746 – 1821), a Spanish geographer. Lanceolata is derived from the Latin lancea ’a light spear’ or ‘lance’ referring to the leaves of this shrub.
The landscape architect may find Azara lanceolata useful as a medium sized, evergreen spring flowering shrub with interesting berries and is suitable for acidic soils..
Ecologically, Azara lanceolata flowers are attractive to nectar loving insects.
Azara lanceolata Leaf (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Azara lanceolata prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acid pH of soil.
Azara lanceolata requires little maintenance.
