Chilco
Category: Shrub
Highly ornamental native shrub, known for its elegant hanging flowers in intense colors (red, pink, and purple) that attract birds like the hummingbird. It's an excellent choice for moist, shaded gardens, where it adds color for several months. Relatively fast-growing and easy to maintain, it's ideal for both natural and decorative gardens
Characteristics
- Watering
- • Moderate to high • Keep the soil moist • Do not let it dry out completely • Sensitive to prolonged drought
- Soil
- • Fertile, well drained • Rich in organic matter • Prefers moist soil • Tolerates slightly acidic soils
- Blooms
- October – March Abundant, long-lasting blooms
- Exposure
- • Partial shade • Tolerates gentle sun (morning or afternoon) • Avoid strong direct sun in summer
- Fruit
- Yes (small berries) • Edible but rarely used
- Size
- • Height: 1–3 m • Width: 1–2 m • Fast-growing shrub with an open form
- Use
- • Ornamental (very attractive flowering) • Attracts pollinators (hummingbirds) • Moist, shaded gardens
- Propagation
- • Cuttings (very easy and fast) • Also by seed (slower)
- Medicinal
- Chilco has been used in the folk medicine of southern Chile in simple preparations with its leaves and flowers. It has traditionally been credited with mild diuretic and fever-reducing uses.