Embothrium coccineum (Chilean Firebush) seeds

Spectacular, evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub, native to Chile with glossy, deep green leaves and clusters of brilliant red tubular flowers in early summer. These seeds are from a strain with unusually large flowers collected by Plantworld of Devon on the banks of Lago Cucao, Chiloe Island in Chile.

Hardy Shrub (to -5C - protect from severe frost)
Flowers: Early summer
Height: To 10m
Position: Semi shade in moist, acid soil for the best colour

Packet of 6 seeds

GROWING GUIDE

Sowing Instructions: Can be sown at any time of year.  Sow the seeds thinly in pots or containers on the surface of a good quality seed compost (eg. John Innes) mixed with vermiculite or perlite and just cover the seeds with sieved compost, vermiculite or perlite. Seal in a polythene bag or place in a propagator and maintain at 15 to 20C. Germination usually takes from 14 to 60 days. NB. Germination can be erratic, hence the need to sow thinly so that seedlings can be removed whilst disturbing the rest of the compost as little as possible.

Growing Instructions: As the seedlings emerge, open the bag or propagator vents to provide adequate ventilation for the seedlings and grow on in cooler conditions (about 15C) until large enough to handle when they should be potted up into 9cm pots. Reseal the bag or close the vents and repeat this process as more seedlings emerge. Grow the potted seedlings on out of direct sunlight, harden plants off in spring and plant out in a sheltered semi shaded position.