Handkerchief tree.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Deciduous tree

Lumière

Partial shade to full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Lumière vive indirecte

Arrosage

Tous les 5 à 10 jours

Taille adulte

20 to 40 feet

Croissance

Lente

Rusticité

USDA 6 à 8

Floraison

Mid to late spring

Entretien

Plant this tree in a spot protected from harsh winds to keep those delicate bracts intact. Keep the soil consistently moist and watch for wilting leaves which indicate the tree is too dry. It prefers a cool climate and struggles in areas with intense summer heat.

Arrosage

Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.

Engrais

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring.

Taille

Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches during the dormant season.

Rempotage

This tree is best planted directly in the ground rather than containers.

Sol

Rich, moist, well drained soil

pH du sol

Neutral to slightly acidic

Température

-20 à 30°C

Humidité

50 à 70%

Sécurité

Humains

There are no significant reports of toxicity for humans.

Enfants

The large, hard seeds may pose a choking hazard if ingested by small children.

Allergènes de contact

No significant contact irritation is known.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the short flowering window.

Comestibilité

The fruit is generally considered inedible and not for human consumption.

Comment l'identifier

• Large white pendulous floral bracts
• Heart shaped serrated green leaves
• Small reddish purple flower clusters
• Rough gray brown exfoliating bark

Hauteur

6 à 12m

Envergure

4 à 9m

Feuilles

bright green, deciduous

Fleurs

white, green, 10 à 20cm

Fruits

green, brown, Autumn

Problèmes courants

• Leaf spot — Fungal spots appear on foliage during periods of high humidity.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, cuttings

Quand planter

Spring, Autumn

Plant in a sheltered spot protected from strong winds to keep the delicate bracts intact for as long as possible.

Bonnes associations

• Hosta — These shade lovers thrive in the same cool, moist conditions under the canopy.
• Érable du Japon — They share similar light requirements and provide beautiful contrasting foliage textures.

Espèces similaires

• Cornus nuttallii — It also features large, showy white bracts that resemble flowers.

Science

Famille

Nyssaceae

Genre

Davidia

Ordre

Cornales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Central and southern China.

Préservation

This species is considered near threatened in its native habitat due to forest clearing.

It grows in moist, temperate mountain forests where it benefits from cool, sheltered conditions.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles

Utilisations

ornamental specimen, shade tree

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How long does it take to flower?

It can take 10 to 15 years for a tree grown from seed to produce its first flowers.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade, especially in the afternoon, to protect its leaves from scorching.

D'où vient le nom

The genus honors French missionary and botanist Armand David, while the species name refers to the prominent involucral bracts.

Bon à savoir

• It is the only member of its genus.
• The tree was first introduced to the West by plant hunter Ernest Wilson.
• It requires a long time to reach maturity before it begins to bloom.