Azara microphylla

Also Known As

Boxleaf Azara
Boxleaf Azara
Chin Chin
Vanilla Tree

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

H: 12'-18'
W: 4'-10'

planting zones

7b-10b

More Options

Azara microphylla plant details

A widely beloved narrow evergreen small tree or shrub with arching branches that can be left to form a natural informal open shape, or pruned for a denser, more uniform plant. Tiny evergreen leaves are joined by divine vanilla-scented tiny yellow flowers in winter. Prefers well-drained, moist soil and a bit of shade, but quite easygoing and unfussy.

Azara microphylla is a fast-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring yellow flowers emerge followed by orange and red fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and even moisture - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Azara microphylla

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: salicaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 4 FT - 10 FT - wide, 12 FT - 18 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring
Uses: easy-to-grow, fragrant, small tree, vanilla-scented, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Azara microphylla

USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional

Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This large open shrub has tiny deep green leaves year round. The lacy effect of the leaves is highlighted by small yellow puffs of vanilla scented flowers.

By: Gossler Farms

Growing natively with Nothofagus obliqua on the slopes of the Andes, this delightful shrub/tree has large sprays of dainty, shiny, dark evergreen leaves and yellow, vanilla-scented flowers in late winter/early spring. S-PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

Beautiful, arching, small shrubby tree, eventually to 15 ft, grown primarily for its tiny, glossy, evergreen leaves. Small, creamy yellow flowers in spring are intensely vanilla scented (our employees swear its white chocolate). Site in full sun to part shade or dappled shade where soils are well-drained and moisture is regular or use in container to show it off. Frost hardy in USDA zone 8.

By: Cistus Nursery

A native to Chile and southern Argentina, growing among the Nothofagus obliqua, this small, fairly narrow, fast-growing tree is a gem: small yellow spritzes cover the branches in spring amid small, glossy, dark green rounded leaves. Their scent is a heavenly vanilla, cocoa, white chocolate, or marzipan scent...you decide. If too sparse, it responds well to pruning.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Azara microphylla is native to Chile and southern Argentina. It has small, shiny, dark green foliage held on open branches on a small tree to about 15 feet. In spring it has yellow pompom flowers that are sweetly scented of vanilla. Useful for part shade and part sun positions.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Evergreen with tiny yellow fragrant flowers early spring. Can be pruned hard to shape. USDA zones 7-9.

By: Lael's Moon Garden

Chile An elegant small tree or large shrub with arching branches, fan-like spread, tiny fragrant yellow flowers, February-March. Small shiny evergreen leaves, 1/2 to 3/4" on arching branches.

By: The Bovees Nursery

This is pretty much our default tree whenever anyone asks about a good small tree. This has zero bad habits that we know about it and is a rapid grower with small evergreen leaves and minute yellow flowers that smell heavenly of marzipan or something similarly decadent.

By: Far Reaches Farm

Don't be put off by this plant's common name: it isn't nearly as mundane as boxwood, and it smells much better too! It's an elegant small evergreen tree with tiny, round, very dark green leaves, providing a very unique fine texture. Vigorous and easy to grow (hey, it even thrives in the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle!), it will reward you with tiny, cream colored flowers in spring, which are more notable for their strong vanilla scent than their appearance. Now what else can you plant that smells like vanilla in February? In the Pacific Northwest, it will grow in full sun if planted in rich, moist soil, but generally it prefers partial shade. Hardy to 5 °F. Chile.