Brassaiopsis mitis

RHS Plant Profile
Philippine umbrella plant

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A reasonably hardy, semi-evergreen, tropical-looking shrub or small tree with unusual, large snowflake-shaped dark green foliage (trifoliate when young) and a thick thorny stem and thorny branches. A fantastic addition to a sheltered courtyard garden or greenhouse for a lush, tropical feel. A fairly rare and expensive plant to find

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Araliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
Genus
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Nepal, Himalayas

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in partial to full shade in a sheltered location in milder parts of the UK. Avoid direct afternoon sun and protect from frost and cold, drying winds. If grown in a pot, bring into a greenhouse or conservatory over winter. Feed with a balanced fertiliser monthly during the growing season

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers with bottom heat in spring, or by leaf cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove dead or dying foliage

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free