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Luma apiculata

Chilean myrtle

A versatile plant Luma apiculata can be used as a hedging plant, multi stemmed shrub or for Topiary, Cloud Running or Niwake.

This is plant that will form multiple stems, with regular pruning it will form a dense hedge, and its relatively fast growing nature make it a useful landscaping plant.

If left unpruned, the stems will become bare lower down, the cinnamon and brown peeling blotched bark trunks are attractive. The foliage is aromatic when crushed and a good mid to deep green in colour

Increasing used for topiary where the attractive stems ands small foliage make it an ideal candidate, cloud pruned specimens can look great when grown in containers.

How to Grow your Luma apiculata

Choose a sunny position and a well drained humus rich soil for best results.

  1. Prepare soil by digging in well rotted compost and aged cow manure.
  2. Plant at the same height as in the pot.
  3. Stake in windy areas.
  4. Water in well with liquid seaweed fertiliser to promote good root growth.
  5. Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool moist root run.
  6. Water deeply during dry periods Ove rate first few summers.
  7. Fertilise in spring with a general purpose slow release fertiliser.
  8. Renew mulch every spring.

Pruning Luma apiculata

You do not need to prune the plant unless you wish to use it as a hedge or screen.
Light prune twice a year for use as a hedge.

As a multi trunked shrub simply remove any old dead or damaged wood.

For topiary, or cloud pruning. regular pruning to shape will be required, removing any unwanted shoots from the stem

Summary Details

  • Botanical Name : Luma apiculata syn. Myrtus luma, Myrtus apiculatus
  • Common Names : Chilean Myrtle
  • Origins : Chile, Argentina.
  • Position : Full sun to a little shade.
  • Soil : Tolerant of a range of soils, well drained.
  • Height : In cultivation to around 3m. Can reach 10m over time in ideal conditions
  • Spread : To 2m in cultivation, up to 7m plus
  • Growth Rate : Moderate
  • Foliage : Evergreen, aromatic.
  • Flowering time : Winter to spring.
  • Flowers – White to green.
  • Fruit : Small. Berries follow the flowers.
  • Drought tolerant : Yes, once established.
  • Frost tolerant : Yes
  • Deer and Rabbit resistent : Yes
  • Awards : RHS Award of Garden Merit.

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