AZARA INTEGRIFOLIA 'VARIEGATA' Gold Spire Azara

More about this beauty here!

AZARA INTEGRIFOLIA ‘VARIEGATA’

 Gold Spire Azara

For year round blast of color, evergreen, Azara integrifolia ‘Variegata’ shows off its green and cream variegated foliage with a flush of pink during the long cold winter months.

Azara integrifolia ‘Variegata’ was originally acquired from the esteemed Duncan & Davies Nurseries in New Zealand where it occurred as a sport of Azara integrifolia.

The species is a large, evergreen, upright shrub, with shiny green leaves, native to coastal Chile, however this cultivar maintains slow growth and spreading habit. The leaves are strongly variegated with creamy yellow and pink tones, the latter more pronounced in cold weather. In early winter small fragrant bright yellow flowers blanket the branches like LED lights. All twelve species of this genus produce a lovely vanilla scent but A.integrifolia ‘Variegata’ is particularly heady. The shiny dark blue berries stand out dramatically, extending its ornamental value.

Cultivation information is slim for Azara integrifolia ‘Variegata’ but experience has proven this plant definitely needs sun, moderate water, and well drained soil, with yearly applications of compost or fish emulsion.

About ten years ago this shrub was planted in front of the store and slowly grew to four feet when it became shaded by the burgeoning candy stripe bamboo, Himalayacalamus hookerianum (another colorful plant). The bamboo has been reduced by half; and the Azara has had the old growth cut away. New vigorous shoots have renewed its life, and inspired a new planting at the Gardens entrance where it’s sure to grab attention along with its companions, mahogany ‘Festival Grass’, ‘Tony Tiger’ flax and ‘Firefly’ heather.

Lily Ricardi

Gardener/Curator

horticulture@gardenbythesea.org