Chinese Honeysuckle Shrub Dipelta floribunda
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Dipelta floribunda var. parviflora
- Linnaea dipelta
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-PELL-ta flo-ree-BUN-dah
- Description
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The Rosy Dipelta is a large deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). It is found in mixed forest areas in its native habitat of central and western China. The first living roots were sent from China to Veitch’s nurseries in the UK around 1902. The genus name is derived from the Greek words for "two" and "shield," referring to the bracts that cover the fruit. The specific epithet is Latin, meaning abundant flowers.
It tolerates afternoon shade, but flowers best in full sun with well-drained soils. With average fertile soil, it grows 7 to 10 feet tall and 9 to 12 feet wide in 10 to 20 years. Prune the oldest stems after flowering. Propagation is from seeds or stem cuttings.
The fragrant foxglove-like flowers bloom late spring in clusters or as single pinkish-white flowers. The yellow and orange fall leaf color is not showy, but the exfoliating mahogany-colored bark provides winter interest.
Grow as an informal hedge or screen, and a shrub border.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dipelta
- Species:
- floribunda
- Family:
- Caprifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central China
- Dimensions:
- Height: 7 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Oval
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit has two seeds and is covered by greenish bracts which turn tawny pink and bronze by late summer.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1.25 inch long fragrant pale pink flowers with a yellow throat that are funnel-shaped with 5 lobes. They are borne singly or in clusters April to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2 to 4 inch long dull, dark green leaves which taper at each end. Fall color is not showy.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- Ash-brown to brown bark exfoliates with age in long strips
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Branches glandular-hairy, becoming glabrous.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
