PlantFiles: Lantern Tree
Crinodendron hookerianum

The hardiness rating of this plant might be a little on the conservative side. I witness record cold this winter and recording an all time low of -10C. Somehow despite some leaf damage the Crinodendron has pulled through and it now putting new leaves out and has flower buds.

Perhaps this plant is a little hardier than people first thought?

I am happy to add that this plant survived one of the coldest winters we've had here in the Northwest in 30 years. The tree was wrapped and protected before the 3 feet of snow piled up around it, but it made it here in zone 8! For awhile there were no leaves on it at all, but after being inspected today, I am happy to report that hardly anything had to be clipped at all. The branches all grew their leaves back and the plant looks great.

This beautiful shrub comes from Chile. It has waxy, crimson, long stalked lantern-like flowers. After the main flush of flowers in late spring the shrub will produce more blooms throughout the summer. It stands up well to the winters here in Plymouth, UK, where frosts are seldom severe. I give it the protection of a wall because some books say it is only half-hardy. It does not appear fussy over soil conditions but is probably happiest in rich, moist, lime-free soil.