Stachyurus chinensis 'Joy Forever' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

Chinese stachyurus 'Joy Forever'

Synonyms

Stachyurus praecox 'Joy Forever'

Shrubs

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'Joy Forever' is an early spring-flowering shrub that, like the species, bears stiff hanging racemes of pale lemon cup-shaped flowers around 2 weeks after S. praecox. Its difference lies in the dark green leaves that are edged, and sometimes spotted, with yellow before taking on a bronze tinge in autumn

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: 5–10 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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or heeled semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
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