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Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana
  • RHS AGM

de Vilmorin handkerchief tree

A medium-sized, deciduous tree, to around 12m in height, with bright green, broadly ovate leaves with glabrous undersides. The young foliage may be tinged red in spring, as well as the foliage taking on rich red and yellow autumnal hues. The small flowers are held between a pair of conspicuous creamy-white, hankerchief-like, ovate bracts and are followed by greenish-brown elliptic to ovoid fruits in autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green White Red Green
Summer Green
Autumn Red Yellow Green Brown Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Nyssaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Davidia is a medium-sized, deciduous tree with ovate leaves and small, dark green flower-clusters each subtended by two large white bracts and followed by ovoid greenish-brown fruits

Name status

Correct

Plant range
China

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in a sheltered position in sun or partial shade, but young specimens may not flower

Propagation

Propagate by seed or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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