OK
In progress indicator
< Back to previous page

Azara microphylla (Box-leaf azara)

Beginner
skill rating
2 hours care
per year
8m
Max height
4m
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity

Plant details

Botanical name

Azara microphylla

Other names

Box-leaf azara

Genus

Azara Azara

Species

A. microphylla - A. microphylla is an elegant, tall, evergreen shrub (or small tree) with arching, pendulous branches. There are masses of tiny, glossy dark green leaves. Flowers are also small, deep yellow, in small clusters from late spring. The scent is a strong, delicious vanilla. Fruits are small red berries, however, they seldom develop.


Azara microphylla is: Evergreen

Fragrance

The significance of this plant lies in its strong, delicious scent in late winter and early spring.

Habit

Pendulous, Spreading, Tall

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Flower

Light green, Yellow in Spring; Light green, Yellow in Winter

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

How to care

Watch out for

General care

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings

Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions

Where to grow

Azara microphylla (Box-leaf azara) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 4m after 20-50 years.

Suggested uses

City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Plant near a door or a path used in the winter to get the most of the vanilla scent.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Shade, Partial Shade

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness

Tender in frost (H3)

Companion plants

This plant has had its best by the time spring really arrives, so combine it with later flowering climbers, such as jasmine, honeysuckle or clematis.

Clematis 'Abundance'
Clematis 'Abundance' (Clematis 'Abundance')
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Confederate jasmine)
Lonicera etrusca 'Superba'
Lonicera etrusca 'Superba' (Honeysuckle 'Superba')
Lonicera x heckrottii
Lonicera x heckrottii (Everblooming honeysuckle)
Trachelospermum jasminoides var. angustifolium
Trachelospermum jasminoides var. angustifolium (Star jasmine)
Tabernaemontana divaricata
Tabernaemontana divaricata (Crepe jasmine)
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Waterwheel'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Waterwheel' (Confederate jasmine 'Waterwheel' )
Gynostemma pentaphyllum
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Sweet tea vine)
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Wilsonii'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Wilsonii' (Confederate jasmine 'Wilsonii')
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Star of Toscana'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Star of Toscana' (Confederate jasmine 'Star of Toscana')
Dregea sinensis
Dregea sinensis (Chinese dregea )
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Tricolor'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Tricolor' (Confederate jasmine 'Tricolor' )
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Tuscani'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Tuscani' (Confederate jasmine 'Tuscani')
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Madison'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Madison' (Confederate jasmine 'Madison')
Solandra maxima
Solandra maxima (Chalice vine)
Dolichandra unguis-cati
Dolichandra unguis-cati (Cat's claw creeper)

Botanical name

Azara microphylla

Other names

Box-leaf azara

Genus

Azara Azara

Species

A. microphylla - A. microphylla is an elegant, tall, evergreen shrub (or small tree) with arching, pendulous branches. There are masses of tiny, glossy dark green leaves. Flowers are also small, deep yellow, in small clusters from late spring. The scent is a strong, delicious vanilla. Fruits are small red berries, however, they seldom develop.

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

The significance of this plant lies in its strong, delicious scent in late winter and early spring.

Habit

Pendulous, Spreading, Tall

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Colour

Flower

Light green, Yellow in Spring; Light green, Yellow in Winter

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

General care

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Azara microphylla (Box-leaf azara) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 4m after 20-50 years.

Suggested uses

City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Plant near a door or a path used in the winter to get the most of the vanilla scent.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Shade, Partial Shade

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness

Tender in frost (H3)

In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.

In progress indicator
Full size image
In progress indicator
Caption

Caption

Cancel and close this form
Upload your own photo
In progress indicator
This plant likes... Garden match
Soil types: Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) Tell us...
Soil drainage: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained Tell us...
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral Tell us...
Light: Full Shade, Partial Shade Tell us...
Aspect: South, East, West Tell us...
Exposure: Sheltered Tell us...
Hardiness: Tender in frost (H3) Tell us...

COMPANION PLANTS

This plant has had its best by the time spring really arrives, so combine it with later flowering climbers, such as jasmine, honeysuckle or clematis.

Clematis 'Abundance'
Clematis 'Abundance' (Clematis 'Abundance')
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Confederate jasmine)
Lonicera etrusca 'Superba'
Lonicera etrusca 'Superba' (Honeysuckle 'Superba')
Lonicera x heckrottii
Lonicera x heckrottii (Everblooming honeysuckle)
Trachelospermum jasminoides var. angustifolium
Trachelospermum jasminoides var. angustifolium (Star jasmine)
Tabernaemontana divaricata
Tabernaemontana divaricata (Crepe jasmine)
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Waterwheel'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Waterwheel' (Confederate jasmine 'Waterwheel' )
Gynostemma pentaphyllum
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Sweet tea vine)
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Wilsonii'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Wilsonii' (Confederate jasmine 'Wilsonii')
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Star of Toscana'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Star of Toscana' (Confederate jasmine 'Star of Toscana')
Dregea sinensis
Dregea sinensis (Chinese dregea )
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Tricolor'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Tricolor' (Confederate jasmine 'Tricolor' )
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Tuscani'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Tuscani' (Confederate jasmine 'Tuscani')
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Madison'
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Madison' (Confederate jasmine 'Madison')
Solandra maxima
Solandra maxima (Chalice vine)
Dolichandra unguis-cati
Dolichandra unguis-cati (Cat's claw creeper)

DISCUSS THIS PLANT

Advice please

I have bought an Azara after reading an article in The Times. Although it will get very tall eventually, I wonder how spreading the roots will be. I have actually planted it next to our house where… read more

There are 0 active discussions about Azara microphylla (Box-leaf azara)

View all discussions


Report content or feedback to Shoot

To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.

Find out more about plant lists here

or Login


To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.

or Login

In progress indicator
Note

Note

You are adding a note to: ?

Cancel

Our awards:
Follow us

Get expert info and easy to follow monthly care reminders for the plants in your garden by signing up for a free Shoot account.