Davidia involucrata 'Sonoma'

RHS Plant Profile
handkerchief tree 'Sonoma'

Synonyms

Davidia involucrata 'S.H.N.'

Award of Garden Merit
Trees

A deciduous, conical tree to 15m tall with broadly ovate, sharply-pointed, red-stalked, mid-green leaves. Selected for its ability to produce the small, dark green flowers from a very young age, sometimes after only two or three years, and these are held within noticeably long, large, creamy-white bracts during late spring, followed by small, ovoid fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Nyssaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free