Nyssa sinensis

RHS Plant Profile

Chinese tupelo

RHS 2002

Synonyms

Nyssa shangszeensis, Nyssa shweliensis, Nyssa wenshanensis

Shrubs Trees

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N. sinensis is a spreading deciduous tree or large shrub to 10m, with narrowly-ovate leaves to 15cm in length, bronze when young and turning to yellow and red in autumn. Flowers inconspicuous; fruits small, black, seldom seen

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun 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: Nyssaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Nyssa are deciduous trees with ovate leaves colouring brilliantly in autumn; inconspicuous flowers are followed by small, dull purple fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, humus-rich, fertile soils with shelter from cold, dry winds. Resents transplanting so grow from small containerised plants

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in a seedbed in autumn or by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
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