Davidia involucrata Lady Dahlia - Dove Tree

The Davidia involucrata 'Lady Dahlia' is a rare variety of the dove tree, which is already uncommon in our gardens despite its ornamental interest. This tree produces remarkable flowering, in the form of large white bracts that indeed resemble handkerchiefs. Lady Dahlia offers an additional appeal with its variegated deciduous foliage, green with light yellow blotches, which is quite decorative in spring. This hardy species, preferring a rather moist and cool climate, is quite easy to grow in ordinary soil that is deep, fertile, light, and fresh. Its rarity and beauty justify giving it a prominent position, preferably in partial shade and sheltered from the wind.

Davidia involucrata is a representative of the relatively unknown family Nyssaceae, of which the most well-known member is probably Nyssa sylvatica with its magnificent autumn colours. This hardy tree, the only species in its genus, is native to the western Sichuan province in China. It was discovered there in 1869 by a missionary botanist named Jean-Pierre Armand-David, who gave it its specific name. In its natural habitat, this tree with a rounded habit can live for a hundred years and reach a height of 20 m. In our gardens, it rarely exceeds 12 m in all directions, but such specimens are rare because it remains a relatively unknown plant.
Interestingly, despite the rarity of the botanical species, there are several cultivars with variegated foliage, a sign of the interest of breeders and collectors. Lady Dahlia stands out with its green leaves with a central yellow-green to chartreuse blotch, depending on the sun exposure. This colouration takes on an irregular form, stretching between the veins in a random pattern, and varies from one leaf to another. Beautifully decorative in spring, this colouration fades during the summer. The leaf blade is cordate and relatively elongated, with a relatively homogeneous margin and an acuminate tip. Measuring 8 to 16 cm long, the leaves, which somewhat resemble those of the lime tree, are borne on petioles 4 to 7 cm long.

The other ornamental feature of this tree lies in its extraordinary flowering, unlike any other among trees in temperate regions. From May to June, hanging inflorescences approximately 15 cm long appear, composed of small flowers 1-2 cm in diameter, surrounded by a pair of unequal large bracts, one about one and a half times larger than the other. These bracts are transformed leaves that more or less imitate petals, here oversized and cream white. The globular flowers consist of purple-red anthers, which create a magnificent contrast against the white bracts, and numerous inconspicuous white stamens. After flowering, pendant fruits measuring 2-4 cm in diameter persist on the tree throughout the winter.
With slow growth, approximately 40 to 50 cm per year, this variety will reach a height of 3.5 m to 4.50 m in 10 years, and will reach a height of 8 to 9 m at maturity, with a relatively spreading habit. Hardy to around -18°C, the Davidia thrives in cool climates, much more than in the hot areas where it suffers from dry air. It can grow in full sun, but it is preferable to provide it with light shade to place it in the cool environment it prefers.

Lady Dahlia Dove Tree is the counterpart of Lady Sunshine, with its heart-shaped leaves edged in cream white. A tree with a romantic charm, its astonishing white pockets never fail to elicit admiration. Depending on the size of your garden, you can plant it on the edge of large trees, isolate it on a lawn, or associate it with other ornamental plants in a flower bed. To enhance spring, plant Chinese Azaleas at its feet, with their multiple floral shades that harmonize with Lady Dahlia's white handkerchiefs. For summer, opt for Hydrangea paniculata Pinkachu, a beautiful Hydrangea with charming abundant inflorescences that change from white to red between July and October. And to enliven winter, nothing beats a beautiful carpet of Hellebores, these Christmas Roses that defy the harsh season by offering superb flowers in white, green, yellow, pink, or purple, depending on the cultivars.