Crinodendron hookerianum

Following one of the severest winters of recent years, with the arrival of Beast from the East and the Mini-beast, it is almost a miracle that this shrub has even survived, let alone flowered with such abundance. The crinodendron is thought to be tender, originating from Chile, in the provinces of Valdivia and Lanquihue, but this plant has been ideally sited, resting on the walls on the back of the Glass Pavilions in the Four Seasons Garden, (area A & B on the downloadable map). It has obviously enjoyed the warmth and protection of these walls.

It is an evergreen shrub, which can become a small tree. It's grown for its bright carmine red waxy lantern-shaped flowers, but is an attractive shrub throughout the year, with its narrow dark green leaves. It was introduced to Britain by William Lobb working for Messrs. Veitch in 1848, and given the name hookerianum in honour of William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865), English botanist and director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.