Idesia polycarpa

Idesia polycarpa, a unique species, is a beautiful deciduous tree of medium size, with a beautiful silhouette and splendid foliage. Its large, dark green, heart-shaped leaves provide a clear and pleasant shade. In early summer, it is adorned with pendulous panicles of small yellow-green flowers with a sweet fragrance. Following this flowering, clusters of bright red berries appear and persist throughout much of the winter. Male and female trees must be planted together to achieve fragrant flowering and fruiting. A superbly decorative and ornamental tree, with an exotic appearance, to invite into the garden for a Japanese atmosphere!

Idesia polycarpa is a beautiful deciduous tree of medium size, with rapid growth and an elegant silhouette. It is native to the forests of central and western China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, and belongs to the Salicaceae family.

It is characterized by a widely conical crown, a spreading habit, and well-ventilated, horizontal branches. It reaches a height of about 12m (39ft 5in) with a spread of 8m (26ft 2in). Its straight trunk, not exceeding 50cm (19.7in) in diameter, has a smooth, white bark in young specimens and a greenish-grey bark with very tight lenticels in older trees. It displays a beautiful glossy foliage, light green in spring and then a beautiful dark green, with a glaucous underside. Its foliage takes on lovely pale yellow hues in autumn. The large, heart-shaped leaves, 10 to 20cm (7.9in) long, slightly dentate, are carried by long purple petioles, creating a superb contrast with the autumn yellow. From May to July, hanging clusters of small yellow-green, fragrant flowers appear. These large panicles measure 10 to 20cm (7.9in) long.

Plant a male and a female specimen to obtain fruiting after flowering. The male flowers have numerous stamens, as long as the sepals, and are larger than the female flowers, but the latter are fragrant. After pollination carried out by pollinating insects, the female inflorescences give way to large pendulous clusters of spherical purplish-red berries, particularly decorative, which persist on the tree throughout much of the winter, enlivening and colouring the garden during the dull season. Its fruits are edible, both raw and cooked.

This tree is particularly ornamental and decorative, with its foliage, fragrant summer flowering, and remarkable winter fruiting. Idesia polycarpa should be planted in a sunny or semi-shaded position in the garden, in a rather rich, neutral to acidic, well-drained and moist soil. Providing a beautiful, light and clear shade, it offers various uses in terms of placement and utilization. It can be placed as a solitary tree, but also under the canopy of larger trees, or even in association with a shrub grove. Perennial plants that thrive in partial shade will find their place at its base, as well as spring or summer flowering bulbs. Its medium size makes it well-suited for small gardens. Of Asian origin, it fits perfectly in a Japanese or exotic-style garden.