Azara

Azara Trees – Best In New Zealand!

Adding an Azara tree (commonly known as Vanilla trees) to your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space.
• They can be used for provide shade, screening, and shelter.
• They attract birds.
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

Vanilla trees make for a fabulous specimen, and we have the right tree for your space. Our Azara plants have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Azara, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Azara Questions

1. Where does Azara originate from?

Azara is a genus of evergreen shrubs and trees native to South America. The genus is named after José Nicolás de Azara, a Spanish explorer and naturalist. The plants are favoured for their attractive foliage and fragrant flowers.

There are over 60 species of Azara, but only a handful are commonly grown in New Zealand:

• Azara microphylla (Vanilla Tree): A small tree or large shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of small, vanilla-scented flowers in spring.
• Azara serrata (Boxleaf Azara): A dense, upright shrub with small, box-like leaves and clusters of yellow flowers in spring.
• Azara lanceolata (Spearleaf Azara): A large shrub or small tree with long, narrow leaves and clusters of yellow flowers in spring.

2. How to grow Azara

Azara are easy to grow and care for. Chose a full sun or partial shade position that is well-drained. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball of the plant and place the plant in the hole. Backfill the hole with soil, and gently firm the plant into place. Water the plant well after planting. Apply a general fertiliser in spring and water regularly during dry periods.

Azara plants are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. They make for wonderful specimens, hedges, and screening plants. They can also be used to create topiaries or espaliered against a wall or fence.

3. How to prune Azara

Azara plants do not require a lot of pruning, but they can be pruned to shape them or to control their size. The best time to prune Azara plants is in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. In this instance, use secateurs to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches. At the same time, shape and contain them as you desire.

4. Azara pests and diseases

Azara are relatively pest- and disease-resistant. However, they can be susceptible to scale insects and aphids. If you notice any pests, a general insecticide is recommended. They can be susceptible to fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and rust. These are easily treated with a fungicide.

5. How big do Azara microphylla get?

Azara microphylla, commonly known as the vanilla tree, is a small evergreen tree or large shrub that typically grows to 4-6 m tall and 2.5-4 m wide. However, it is somewhat slow-growing and could reach 10 m tall in ideal conditions. It is a relatively hardy tree and can tolerate a wide range of climates, but it does prefer well-drained soil and a full sun or partial shade position.