Idesia polycarpa var. vestita

Idesia polycarpa var. vestita is distinguished from the type species mainly by its slightly villous leaves on top, and longer petioles. It is a magnificent medium-sized deciduous tree with a beautiful silhouette. It is endowed with splendid foliage, whose large heart-shaped leaves provide pleasant shade. At the beginning of summer, it adorns itself with pendulous panicles of small greenish-yellow flowers with a sweet fragrance. The flowers are highly popular with bees. Clusters of decorative red berries follow, which persist for much of the winter. It is advisable to plant both a male tree and a female tree to achieve a fragrant flowering and fruiting. A superbly decorative and ornamental tree. With its exotic look, it is ideal for creating a Japanese atmosphere!

The only species of the genus, Idesia polycarpa is a beautiful fast-growing deciduous tree with a superb habit. Occasionally, it produces several trunks, which can be pruned to keep only on. This will create a regular crown. It is native to the forests of central and western China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, and belongs to the Salicaceae family, just like poplars.

Idesia is characterised by a broadly conical crown, a spreading habit, and tiered and horizontal branches. It measures about 12m (39ft) high and 8m (26ft) wide at maturity. Its straight trunk, not exceeding 50cm (20in) in diameter, has smooth and white bark in young subjects, green-grey in mature trees with very tight lenticels. It displays beautiful glossy foliage, which is light green in spring, before turning a beautiful dark green, with a glaucous back. Its foliage takes on lovely pale-yellow shades in autumn. The large heart-shaped and slightly dentate leaves, 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) long, are carried by long purple petioles, measuring over 4cm (2in) long, producing a superb contrast with the autumnal yellow. From May to July, pendulous clusters of small yellow-green, nectar-rich, fragrant flowers appear. These large panicles measure 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) long. Plant both a male and a female subject to obtain a fruiting after flowering, although we have observed under certain climates female subjects capable of fruiting without the help of males. The male flowers have numerous stamens, as long as the sepals, and are larger than the female flowers, but the latter are fragrant. Following pollination carried out by foraging insects, the female inflorescences give way to large trailing clusters of particularly decorative spherical purplish-red berries, which persist on the tree for much of winter. These fruits are edible both raw and cooked. 

An exceptionally ornamental and decorative tree, with its foliage, its scented summer flowering, and its remarkable winter fruiting. Plant Idesia polycarpa var. vestita in the garden in a sunny or semi-shaded situation, in rather rich, neutral to acidic, moist but well-drained soil. Its foliage provides beautiful, light and clear shade. It can be placed alone, but also under the cover of larger trees, or with Japanese maples, large hydrangeas, Fothergilla and Euodia daniellii. Perennial plants of semi-shade will find their place at its base as well as spring or summer flowering bulbs. With its medium size, it is well suited to small gardens. Of Asian origin, it will fit perfectly in a Japanese or exotic-looking garden.