* CHILEAN FIREBUSH (Embothrium 
coccineum). Rated by some “the show- 
iest flowering tree in the world,” this pro- 
vides the most vivid flower-sight in cli- 
mates like North Florida. The catherine 
wheels of orange-vermilion shine with as- 
tonishing brilliance, especially in evening 
light. It reaches 30 feet when happy, 
with dark, oblong leaves, and flower clust- 
ers on new wood near the end of the 
shoots. Embothrium needs acid soil. 
Seedlings are very sensitive to root dis- 
turbance in spring, but can be handled 
more easily if left until autumn. Will 
survive temperatures as low as zero de- 
grees. Careful staking is required as 
young plants shoot up very fast. 
RED SILK OAK 
*RED SILKOAK (Grevillea banksi). 
This handsome tall shrub or small tree to 
8 feet, with rusty green fern-like leaves 
and large, comb-like deep crimson flowers 
4 inches long, does well in sun or part 
shade and is hardy to 20°. It flowers 
Ties 
early and in beauty is far superior to the 
common silkoak because of the brilliance 
of the flowers. 
SILKOAK (G. robusta). This yellow- 
flowered Australian shade tree is com- 
monly planted along Florida streets. It 
shatters in hurricane winds and fails to 
recover. 
YIELYIEL (G. hilliana). This white- 
flowered Australian tree is hardier than 
the foregoing. For description see 1947 
catalog. 
MIMOSA-LIKE -GREVILLEA, 3-(G. 
mimosoides). From islands in the Gulf of 
Carpentaria, off the north coast of Queens- 
land, comes this tree so rare that even 
most Australians have never heard of it. 
It is another in the “silkoak” family with 
long, fuzzy, strap-like leaves and pink or 
pinkish-white flowers in 4-inch clusters 
at the tips of the branches. 
*CHILEAN HAZELNUT (Gevuina 
avellana, Syn. Guevina avellana). This 
handsome evergreen tree to 40 feet in its 
native country but usually much smaller 
here, is described according to Britton 
as “one of the most beautiful of all trees, 
with snow-white flowers in spikes.” “At 
the beginning of autumn,” says Good- 
speed, “it is covered with the red balls of 
its maturing fruit and the white racemes 
of its late flowers.” Although sustaining 
temperatures as low as 20°, this Protea 
is very sensitive to root disturbance. It 
needs peat and loam soil. The cherry-red 
fruit turns black in ripening; the seed is 
edible. Gevuina has shining green, leath- 
ery, pinnate sharply toothed leaves. The 
flowers in 4-inch racemes, are sometimes 
tinged red. 
* WEST INDIAN SHOWER (Chama- 
efistula antillanum). One of the most bril- 
liant flowering trees in my garden through 
the winter months, this Cassia-like small 
evergreen tree to 15 feet, is covered from 
January to March with big bunches of 
crowded yellow flowers and the blooming 
is repeated in May-June. Fast growing 
and of attractive habit. 
DANIELLIA (D. oliveri). Large Ni- 
gerian evergreen tree of the Cassia family 
with copious rather flat panicles of white 
scented flowers. 
