Stachyurus chinensis

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese stachyurus

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A spreading, deciduous shrub 3-4m tall, the purplish young branches with dark green leaves broad, narrowing to a tapering point, giving good autumn colour. Hanging, catkin-like sprays up to 13cm long of 30-40 pale yellow, cup-shaped flowers in late winter and early spring on bare branches

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Stachyuraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Stachyurus are small deciduous trees with simple, ovate leaves and stiffly pendent racemes of small bell-shaped pale yellow flowers in late winter and early spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moist but well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to acidic soil. Suitable for shrub border or for a woodland garden but especially good against a wall. Protect from cold winds

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or heeled semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility