Helwingia chinensis

RHS Plant Profile

Chinese helwingia

RHS

Shrubs

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An evergreen shrub to 2m tall, with upright to spreading branches, purplish-green when young. The leaves are leathery and long-pointed. In early summer, small, white flowers are produced from the centre of the leaf blades; these are followed by black, oblong fruits to 7mm long

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Helwingiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Helwingia are medium-sized, evergreen or deciduous shrubs with shiny leaves in opposite pairs. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, male and female usually on different plants, and emerge in small clusters directly from the leaf midribs, followed by red or black berries
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: China to Thailand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil in dappled shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in a cold frame in autumn. Separate root suckers in late winter. Take sem-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free