Persea bracteata

Extremely rare in cultivation, this evergreen avocado relative from China is completely hardy here and has proven its hardiness over many decades. A small tree to perhaps 10m in the UK, with narrow, dark, shiny green foliage, waxy whitish-green beneath and usually 10cm long, but up to 21cm. Panicles of fragrant yellow to yellow-green flowers in spring before the new foliage emerges rich red. Small round black fruit in autumn. For a sheltered site in any reasonable soil.