Crinodendron, the lantern tree

Crinodendron is a very beautiful shrub. Its summer blooming is an enchantment in our gardens.

Core Crinodendron facts

Name – Crinodendron hookerianum
Family – Elaeocarpaceae
Type – shrub

Height – 6 to 32 feet (2 to 10 m) (depending on the variety)
Exposure – part sun, sun
Soil – rich enough

Foliage – evergreen
Flowering – May to July

• Read also: Abutilon, the other lantern tree

Caring for this plant, from planting to pruning, will increase growth of your crinodendron and appearance of flowers.

Planting crinodendron

Crinodendron loves sun-covered spots, but it doesn’t like it when it gets too hot. In that case, favor part sun.

It is best to plant in spring because the crinodendron is vulnerable to strong frost spells.

• A young specimen will be even more vulnerable, which is why it’s better to plant specimens that have already grown somewhat.

For areas that have a rather mild winter, you can plant in fall.

• Refer to our guidelines for planting shrubs.

Crinodendron in pots

For Crinodendron grown in pots or garden boxes, remember to bring it under shelter in winter, especially if temperatures routinely fall below 23°F (-5°C).

Indeed, under 23°F (-5°C), crinodendron probably won’t survive.

• Prepare a blend with two parts soil mix and one part heath.
• Prune your potted crinodendron every year at the end of winter before bringing it back out.

Pruning and caring for crinodendron

It isn’t necessary to prune the plant. Nonetheless, if you wish to balance the shape or reduce the size of its branches, wait for blooming to be over.

Water regularly as it flowers, but not too much and possibly provide organic fertilizer to stimulate the opening of cute flowers.

Learn more about crinodendron

A very beautiful shrub native to Latin America, crinodendron bears magnificent and unique fuchsia pink flowers.

Its bushy bearing, long thin leaves and lantern-shaped flowers make it a very ornamental shrub.

Leafage is somewhat thick and leathery, like many other heath plants like azalea, camellia and rhododendron.

Credits for images shared to Nature & Garden (all edits by Gaspard Lorthiois):
Red-colored crinodendron by Sönke Haas under © CC BY-ND 2.0
Fruit of the crinodendron by Inao under © CC BY-SA 2.0