Rhus chinensis

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese gall

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Chinese gall Dorling Kindersley Ltd
Chinese gall Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Other common names

nutgall

Synonyms

Rhus javanica misapplied
Rhus osbeckii

Trees

A upright, deciduous tree to 6m,with stout, downy shoots and mid-green leaves up to 40cm long, composed of7 to 13 leaflets, and turning red in autumn. Upright sprays of yellow-white flowers in late summer are followed by clusters of spherical, red fruit

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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
Anacardiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Rhus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees with simple, pinnate or palmately-divided leaves often colouring brilliantly in autumn, and inconspicuous yellow flowers in spring or summer, followed by small, spherical red fruits in dense clusters
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to obtain best autumn colour

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, coral spot and Verticillium wilt