Stachyurus salicifolius

Stachyurus salicifolius is an evergreen bush from China that thrives in acidic soil and is very hardy. It is both elegant, unique, and relatively unknown. It has a graceful habit, with red young shoots and beautiful foliage reminiscent of willow leaves. It produces abundant flowering in long pendulous clusters, ranging from cream to pale yellow, which is particularly welcome after winter. It looks stunning when allowed to grow freely, but its long stems also make it suitable for training along a wall or small fence, for example.

Stachyurus salicifolius belongs to the Stachyuraceae family, which includes only 6 species. Rare in cultivation, it is native to the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guizhou, Sichuan, and the northeastern Yunnan. It is a bush with a very flexible, airy, and slightly spreading habit. Its growth is quite fast, reaching approximately 2m (7ft) in height and 1.70m (6ft) in width at maturity. The foliage is evergreen, composed of long leaves measuring 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in), very narrow, and ending in a pointed tip with toothed edges. The leaves emerge orange and turn bright green in summer, blending with the pinkish juvenile leaves in winter. Its flowering is early and abundant, occurring between March and April. It appears on the red wood as reddish buds that open into small creamy-white to pale yellow bell-shaped flowers, grouped in pendulous clusters measuring 10-15cm (4-6in) in length. It displays delicate, gracefully arching stems that are a beautiful reddish-purple colour when young.

Stachyurus salicifolius is rarely used in gardens, even in regions with non-alkaline soils where rhododendrons, hydrangeas, ceanothus, or camellias thrive. Although more discreet, it is unquestionably elegant and highly ornamental throughout the year. Its generous early flowering and ever-changing appearance provide an ever-renewing spectacle. It can be used as a solitary plant, in groups of three, or in mass plantings with other acid-loving plants. It is an architectural plant that fits well in contemporary, Japanese-inspired, or even wild gardens. It stands out against a backdrop of red heathers (Erica carnea, Erica darleyensis) and Andromeda glaucophylla, accompanied by dwarf rhododendrons and loropetalums.