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 Luculia gratissimaLuculias
For fragrance at this time of year it is hard to beat the lovely Luculias.They come from temperate east Asia so require frost free positions. Despite this Luculias are numerous in gardens in our region and are usually found growing against walls or buildings or squeezed between and under taller shrubs and trees to give frost protection..
The pink flowering Luculias are quick growing and within two growing seasons you can expect a sizable bushy shrub covered in blossom at this time of year. They must be pruned every year in spring when frosts have finished. Failure to do this results in a tall leggy and gappy specimen. It will still flower freely but as the blossoms are borne at the tips of the branches the flowers end up in the air.
It’s best to prune by half. This results in a shapely bushy shrub with vigorous growth and maximum flower production.
Grow Luculias in full sun and perfect drainage. They really dislike wet feet and in heavy soils will barely grow and the few leaves will be reddish in colour with the tendancy to drop off. All Luculias shed their older or bottom leaves through the colder months. The leaves turn red before falling and are a most attractive feature. Some gardeners consider this a nuisance with leaves dropping all the time through winter but if you plant your Luculia in a garden situation then the leaves will simply fall under the tree and form a natural and colourful mulch.
Once established Luculias will tolerate dry conditions but keep mulched with compost to feed and help conserve moisture.
Luculia grandiflora
This is the smallest grower and the most frost hardy. Established plants cope with medium sized frosts by going into dormancy. But until the shrub has developed woody stems they need protecting. This shrub has stunning large coarse leaves of dull green, heavily veined .From late summer they turn red and remain so until spring when they are replaced by a new crop, or drop when frosts arrive. It is worth while growing just for the leaves alone and looks lovely mass planted.
Luculia grandiflora has finished flowering by now. She flowers from late spring, through summer and into autumn. Erect stalks carry pure white fragrant trumpet shaped flowers. The fragrance is a very sweet tropical one.
It is reputed to be an excellent cut flower but I have found the flowers wilt within 24 hours.
This Luculia is a slower grower with a tidier habit of growth so does not require such heavy pruning. As it flowers for such a long period I recommend pruning only when required. This means flowers won’t be sacrificed. Grows 1.3 to 1.5 ms in height.
Luculia gratissima.
This is the commonly planted pink Luculia from the Himalayas. Gratissima in Latin translates as agreeable or pleasant. To me the pink Luculia is delicious. Everything about it is lovely. The large soft leaves are olive green and when the older leaves redden in early winter it is a lovely contrast to the flowers. Rosy pink buds open to round clusters of soft pink or mid pink open flowers The variety Luculia g. Early Dawn is a selection with deep pink flowers.
Plant near windows or entrances so the tropical perfume can waft indoors through the winter months. Expect to grow between 2 to 3 metres depending on how far it is pruned annually.
Luculia pinceana Fragrant Cloud.
This is the tallest growing and most vigorous of the Luculias .Large deep green leathery leaves which typically redden through winter. Large clusters of flowers through winter are the palest blush pink ,almost white. Very fragrant and lovely.
 Luculia pinceana early Dawn
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