Pterostyrax corymbosus

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little epaulette tree

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A large, spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree, with bright green, pointed, oval leaves which turn yellow in autumn. Hanging clusters of small, fragrant, white flowers are produced in late spring and early summer, followed by five-ribbed fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
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

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Styracaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Pterostyrax can be deciduous trees or large shrubs, with peeling bark, simple leaves and drooping panicles of small, 5-lobed, bell-shaped flowers held beneath the branches, and followed by small ribbed fruits.
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China, Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained, acid or neutral soil, sheltered from cold winds. Needs hot, sunny summers to flower well

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in a coldframe or seedbed in autumn or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free