Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'
Chinese rice-paper plant 'Rex'
A large, fast-growing shrub or small tree to about 5m high, producing a thicket of upright stems topped by very large, deeply lobed green leaves up to 1m across. New shoots and leaves have a coating of fine, pale brown hairs. Creamy pompoms of flowers are produced in large sprays in autumn, followed by black fruit.
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Cream | Green | ||
| Winter | Green | Black |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Bushy
- Genus
Tetrapanax are suckering, evergreen shrubs or small trees, with large, palmately-lobed leaves. The flowers are produced in large, woolly sprays, attractive to bees, followed by black fruit
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from cold winds and provide a deep mulch over winter in cold areas. If kept frost-free it will be evergreen; with mild frosts the plant is deciduous, and in colder areas it may die back to ground level then reshoot from the roots.
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by division, removing suckers in spring or summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Sub-tropical
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged leaves as necessary. Remove suckers if you want to prevent the spread of established clumps
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.