Informazioni su questa pianta
Alchornea
Alchornea is a genus of trees and shrubs of the spurge family, found mainly in the tropics; most species come from Africa and cannot withstand frost. For gardens in temperate climates the deciduous Chinese species is the one of interest, grown for its striking pink young growth in spring.
Alchornea davidii
Alchornea davidii comes from central and eastern China, where it grows in valleys, on slopes near streams and in deciduous woodland. This upright, sparsely branched shrub produces bright fuchsia-pink shoots in spring that open into large, heart-shaped leaves, turning from salmon to soft yellow and then green, with orange and red tones in autumn.
Esposizione e terreno
Plant in sun or partial shade; more sun gives stronger leaf colour. It likes a deep, loose, fertile and well-drained soil, tolerates lime and slightly acid ground, and needs shelter from cold, drying winds that can scorch the young shoots. Fairly hardy: if the top freezes back in a severe winter, it usually regrows from the base.
Potatura e cura
In colder regions plant in spring. Young plants are more tender, so mulch the base and cover them with fleece in severe frost. The rootstock suckers slightly; remove suckers if the shrub spreads too far. Pruning is rarely needed; if necessary, prune in November.
Utilizzo in giardino
An eye-catching specimen in a lawn or among white spring-flowering shrubs such as spiraea or serviceberry. It also combines well with other pink-leaved plants and with a small summer-flowering clematis climbing through its stiff stems. It usually reaches around 2 m in height while staying fairly narrow.
Caratteristiche
Botanica
| Famiglia | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genere | Alchornea |
| Specie | davidii |