Handkerchief tree Davidia involucrata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- duh-VID-ee-uh in-vol-yoo-KRAY-tuh
- Description
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The Dove tree is a broadleaf deciduous tree that grows 20 to 60 feet in height with orange and brown bark and alternate simple leaves. It is a native of China, but is rare in cultivation even in China. Pyramidal in youth, it matures with a rounded; dense branching form. The tree flowers in early spring with two large, white bracts surrounding a flower and resembling a dove in shape. It is slow to begin flowering. Variable fall color ranges from undistinguished dull pastels to bright oranges and reds. The plant can be grown from seed, but it can take up to 10 years after planting for a tree to flower, and it may not regularly flower each year thereafter. The genus name honors Abbe Armand David (1826-1900), a French missionary in China who collected many plants and animals. The specific epithet refers to the ring of bracts surrounding the flowers.
Plant in full sun to partial shade; the tree may appreciate afternoon shade in areas with hot summers. The Dove tree prefers moist, well-drained, organically rich soil and does not tolerate drying out in times of drought. In sites subject to heavy wind, the tree may need support or protection.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Sonoma'
Reliable blooms at an earlier age (i.e., less than 10 years). - var. Vilmoriniana
- 'Sonoma'
- 'Sonoma', var. Vilmoriniana
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Sonoma'
Reliable blooms at an earlier age (i.e., less than 10 years). - var. Vilmoriniana
- 'Sonoma'
- 'Sonoma', var. Vilmoriniana
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Davidia
- Species:
- involucrata
- Family:
- Nyssaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Central China
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Flowers are followed by round, greenish-brown fruits on 2 to 3 inch stems. Nuts contain 3 to 6 seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers in April and May. Produces two large, white bracts surrounding red flowers and resembling a dove. It is slow to begin flowering. The oval-rounded white involucre bracts (one 3-4 inches long and the other 6-7 inches long) which subtend each flower cluster, flutter in the slightest breeze, like white doves sitting in the tree, hence the common name.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Toothed, broad oval, red-stalked, bright green leaves (3 to 6 inches long) are heart-shaped at the base.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Orange
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- Orange and brown bark, horizontally fissured.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
