scaffold . Fast growing to 20 feet tall , it blooms in late spring and continues bearing flowers into early summer and sometimes later . In the autumn months — all the way into December — you are treated to fall foliage in tones of purple and orange . The tree can be a bit tricky to establish . It does best in full sun to light shade and well-drained , acidic soil . Give it some protection from freezing winter winds and light watering during the dry summer months . You ’ ll find it for sale at a number of specialty growers , such as the marvelous Far Reaches Farm ( farreachesfarm . com ) near Port Townsend .
Tiny evergreen leaves and tiny yellow winter flowers of Azara microphylla . ( Photo by Niall Dunne )
Fuchsia magellanica var . gracilis ‘ Aurea ’ in September . ( Photo by Janine Anderson )
The hardy fuchsia , Fuchsia magellanica var . gracilis ‘ Aurea ’, can test one ’ s patience . Throughout winter , the arching , bare stems seem hopelessly unpromising . Despite being painstakingly slow to leaf out and flower , however , it is worth the wait because this diminutive fuchsia ’ s crimson and purple flowers and chartreuse foliage persist from spring , well into the fall season . The shrub grows up to three feet high by three feet wide and is a Great Plant Picks selection for our region ( see greatplantpicks . org ). Tuck it into a semi-shady corner and enjoy watching hummingbirds gather nectar from its irresistible blooms .
Azara microphylla ( boxleaf azara ) is a narrow , small tree with a graceful , layered habit . Its draping branches are covered with tiny evergreen leaves reminiscent of those of boxwood , hence the common name . In winter , the plant ’ s almost microscopic yellow flowers emit a heavenly scent
of vanilla . ( Not surprisingly , the Arboretum ’ s Witt Winter Garden also showcases this tree .) It grows up to 25 feet tall and 12 feet wide . A somewhat smaller , variegated form , Azara microphylla ‘ Variegata ’, is particularly effective in brightening up areas of low light . Boxleaf azara makes an interesting specimen tree . Because of the dense foliage , it can also be strategically placed to screen unwanted views . Indeed , planted in a row , the tree can make an effective privacy hedge . It does best in light shade and well-drained soil . Give it protection from winter winds and occasional water during hot dry spells .
AUSTRALIA Royal grevillea would be an apt common name for the majestic Grevillea victoriae , even if its species epithet didn ’ t honor a British queen ! Although especially floriferous in spring and summer , the evergreen shrub bears tubular reddish-orange flowers all year . Another hummingbird magnet — despite being from southeast Australia , where there are no native hummingbirds — it is also enjoyed by bees and butterflies and is usually resistant to predation by deer . Royal grevillea grows up to 10 feet tall by 10 feet wide but can be kept denser and more compact with careful
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