Stachyurus chinensis Joy Forever

Original, unknown, this Stachyurus chinensis 'Joy Forever' is a bush of acidic soils, very hardy, offering an early flowering on its naked wood, in clusters of white-cream bells. Its foliage is highly ornamental, initially reddish-purple, then pink, variegated green with yellow at maturity to turn red and yellow in autumn, transforming its spread and graceful silhouette into a changing bouquet. It requires a limestone-free soil and a partially shaded exposure to thrive.

Stachyurus chinensis 'Joy Forever' belongs to the family Stachyuraceae, grouping only 6 species of this genus. It is a particularly floriferous selection of Stachyurus chinensis originating from the Himalayas. It shows an upright, relatively compact habit for a Stachyurus and quite spread. Its growth is quite rapid, reaching 2m (6ft 7in) in height and 4m (13ft 1in) in width at maturity. The foliage is deciduous, composed of ovate and narrow leaves, ending in a tapered point, measuring from 6 to 10cm (3.9in) long. They emerge reddish-purple, become green-variegated with yellow, mingling with pink juvenile leaves, then turn red-orange variegated with yellow before leaf fall. Its flowering is early, between March and April, appearing on the naked wood, before the foliage emerges, in the form of small creamy-white bells grouped in pendulous clusters of 10cm (3.9in) long. It has slender, gracefully arching stems, of a beautiful purple-red when young.

Stachyurus chinensis 'Joy Forever' is seldom used in gardens, yet it is highly ornamental due to its curious early flowering and changing attire. It can be used in solitary, in groups of three, or in beds with acid-loving plants. It is an architectural plant that will stand out on a carpet of red heathers (Erica carnea, Erica darleyensis) and Andromeda glaucophylla, along with dwarf rhododendrons and Loropetalums.