Trochodendron aralioides
wheel tree
T. aralioides is usually an epiphyte or a tree in the wild and may grow up to 10m or more, but in cultivation is usually a slow-growing shrub to 3m; it has aromatic bark, spirally arranged, long-stalked, evergreen leaves up to 12cm long, which are tapered, obovate, leathery, glossy, bright green or olive-green, with scalloped margins, and racemes up to 12cm long of 10-20 or more bright green flowers, 2cm across, which have no petals but numerous stamens radiating from central green discs, in late spring and early summer
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Trochodendraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Trochodendron is an evergreen shrub or tree which can reach a height of around 20m. Leaves are leathery dark green with yellowish-green flowers. The flowers have no petals but around 40 to 70 stamens instead. The fruit they produce is woody and star-shaped.
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Japan, Taiwan
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, neutral to slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade, and with shelter from cold, drying winds, for example in a woodland garden
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Cut flowers
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
No pruning required or Pruning group 1 (little or no pruning of trees and shrubs)
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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