Davidia involucrata 'Lady Sunshine' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

handkerchief tree 'Lady Sunshine'

Trees

A deciduous conical tree to 15m tall with broadly ovate mid-green leaves irregularly margined creamy-white. Small, dark green flowers held within the large, creamy-white bracts during late spring, are 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

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: 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. Seed raised plants may not flower for up to 10 years

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free