Saw-toothed azara is a large evergreen shrub native to Chilean woodlands that brings fountaining elegance and fragrant summer color to zones 8, 10. This broadleaf beauty grows 8, 12 feet tall and wide, with glossy, finely toothed leaves that catch the light beautifully. Come June and July, it erupts with tiny deep yellow flowers so fragrant you'll notice them from across the garden, followed by showy white berries in late summer. Its combination of year-round foliage, aromatic blooms, and ornamental fruit makes it a standout choice for gardeners seeking structural interest with understated sophistication.
Partial Sun
Moderate
8-10
144in H x 144in W
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High
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The glossy, serrated leaves that give this shrub its common name are the first thing you notice, but the fragrant deep yellow flowers blooming in mid-summer are what make it memorable. These tiny, apetalous flowers arrive later than many spring-bloomers, extending the garden's flowering season into summer, and they're followed by showy white berries that persist into late summer. Growing in a naturally fountain-like shape without heavy pruning, saw-toothed azara works beautifully as a specimen shrub or hedge, while its tolerance of deer and rabbit browsing and complete freedom from serious insect or disease problems makes it one of the lower-maintenance ornamentals you can plant.
Saw-toothed azara serves as an excellent hedge plant, offering year-round screening with its dense, fountain-like growth habit. Its showy flowers and berries also make it a striking focal point in mixed shrub borders, where its glossy evergreen foliage and fragrant summer blooms draw attention without overwhelming other plantings.
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Propagate saw-toothed azara from cuttings and harden them off gradually before planting outdoors in spring, after the last frost has passed. Space plants 8, 12 feet apart if creating a hedge, allowing room for their mature width.
Saw-toothed azara naturally develops a graceful fountain-like shape and requires minimal pruning. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain structure, and lightly shape the plant after flowering if needed. Avoid heavy pruning, which can disrupt its natural form and reduce flowering.
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“Azara serrata hails from the understory woodlands of Chile, where it evolved as a shade-loving shrub adapted to dappled light and consistent moisture. This species made the journey from South American forests to cultivated gardens in temperate regions where it could be safely grown outdoors year-round, becoming a valued addition to zones 8, 10.”