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Trochodendron aralioides

wheel tree

Usually an epiphyte or a tree in the wild and may grow up to 10m or more, but in cultivation is usually a slow-growing shrub to 3m; it has aromatic bark, spirally arranged, long-stalked, evergreen leaves up to 12cm long, which are tapered, obovate, leathery, glossy, bright green or olive-green, with scalloped margins, and racemes up to 12cm long of 10-20 or more bright green flowers, 2cm across, which have no petals but numerous stamens radiating from central green discs, in late spring and early summer

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green
Summer Green Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Trochodendraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Trochodendron is an evergreen shrub or tree which can reach a height of around 20m. Leaves are leathery dark green with yellowish-green flowers. The flowers have no petals but around 40 to 70 stamens instead. The fruit they produce is woody and star-shaped.

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Japan, Taiwan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, neutral to slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade, and with shelter from cold, drying winds, for example in a woodland garden

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cut flowers
  • Hedging and screens
Pruning

No pruning required or Pruning group 1 (little or no pruning of trees and shrubs)

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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