Share your pictures? Hide split images

Value-for-money

Stachyurus praecox

Stachyurus praecox
Early Stachyurus

Be the first to leave a review

Shipping country:

Select delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

This stachyurus is a deciduous bush that is highly valued for its great winter beauty! Its silhouette is particularly graceful as it forms a small bush with a wide and spreading habit, carrying several trunks with beautifully arched branches. From March to April long pendulous clusters of pale yellow bells with pinkish tinges appear on naked wood of reddish-purple colour. The medium green foliage is ovate and pointed, turning reddish-pink and yellow in autumn. It is a hardy understory species suitable for sheltered locations in limestone-free soils and filtered sunlight.

Flower size

10 cm

Height at maturity

3 m

Spread at maturity

2.50 m

Exposure

Sun, Partial shade

Hardiness

Hardy down to -20°C

Soil moisture

Moist soil

Would this plant suit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time February to March, October to November

Recommended planting time February to April, October to December

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Flowering time February to March

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Description

Stachyurus praecox is a deciduous bush with very unique and highly regarded winter beauty! Its silhouette is particularly graceful as it forms a small bush with a wide and spreading habit, bearing several trunks with beautifully arching reddish-brown branches. From March to April, long pendulous clusters of pale yellow bell-shaped flowers with pinkish hues appear on the naked reddish-purple branches. The medium green foliage is ovate, pointed, and turns reddish-pink and yellow in autumn. It is a hardy woodland species suitable for sheltered positions in lime-free, rich, moist soil with filtered sunlight.

Stachyurus praecox belongs to the Stachyuraceae family, which includes only 6 species of this genus. It is a small bush native to Japan, used as an ornamental plant in temperate parks and gardens. It has an erect, wide, and spreading habit, reaching a height of 3m (10ft) and a width of 2.5m (8ft) at maturity, within 10 to 20 years. The foliage is deciduous, composed of ovate and narrow leaves, ending in a pointed tip, measuring 8 to 18cm (3 to 7in) long. Its flowering is early, between March and April, appearing on the bare wood before the foliage, in the form of abundant small compact bell-shaped flowers, measuring 8mm (1in), grouped in pendulous clusters, 10cm (4in) long. It has slender, gracefully arching stems, with a beautiful reddish-purple colour when young.

Stachyurus praecox is not widely used in gardens, yet it is highly ornamental due to its curious early flowering and changing appearance. It can be used as a standalone plant, positioned so that the spectacle of its flowers can be enjoyed from the house. Alternatively, plant it in groups of three in a woodland border or mixed with other ericaceous shrubs and perennials. Consider planting a carpet of spring bulbs at its feet and some hellebores to accompany its early flowering. It is an architectural plant that will stand out on a carpet of red heathers (Erica carnea, Erica darleyensis) and glaucophylla Andromeda, alongside dwarf rhododendrons and Loropetalums.

Stachyurus praecox in pictures

Flowering

Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 3 m

Spread at maturity 2.50 m

Habit spreading

Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour yellow

Flowering time February to March

Inflorescence Cluster

Flower size 10 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous

Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Stachyurus

Species

praecox

Family

Stachyuraceae

Other common names

Early Stachyurus

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Other Stachyurus

Stachyurus chinensis Celina Stachyurus chinensis Celina

4.7/5 - 7 reviews

19 In stock

From 27,50 € 3L/4L pot
Available in 2 sizes
Stachyurus chinensis Joy Forever Stachyurus chinensis Joy Forever

5.0/5 - 3 reviews

12 In stock

From 18,50 € 2L/3L pot
Available in 2 sizes

Planting and care

Plant Stachyurus praecox in a position sheltered from cold winds. It will not tolerate alkaline soil, so enrich your planting hole with ericaceous soil and well-rotted compost, as it prefers rich and moist soil. Add some sand and gravel for effective drainage. Pruning should be done in spring after flowering. Lighten the structure of the bush by removing branches that cross in the centre, and getting rid of dead branches. Be careful with excessive pruning that will unbalance its elegant habit.

Planting period

Best planting time February to March, October to November

Recommended planting time February to April, October to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge

Type of use Back of border, Free-standing

Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map

Ease of cultivation Amateur

Planting density 1 per m2

Exposure Sun, Partial shade

Soil pH Acidic

Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)

Soil moisture Moist soil, humus-rich, well-draining

Care

Pruning instructions Pruning is done in the spring after flowering finishes in March. Lighten the structure of the bush by removing branches that cross over in the centre, and getting rid of dead branches. Avoid excessive pruning that will unbalance its elegant silhouette.

Pruning Pruning recommended once a year

Pruning time March

Soil moisture Moist soil

Disease resistance Very good

Overwinter Can be left in the ground

This item has not been reviewed yet - be the first to leave a review about it.

Leave a review →