Sinojackia xylocarpa

The Sinojackia xylocarpa is a charming small tree that has become rare in its native lands and deserves to find its way into our gardens, just like its cousin, the Styrax. It is attractive with its slightly passive habit. Its delicate spring flowering comprises tiny clusters of beautiful white flowers. It has pleasant, tender green foliage and beautiful autumn colours. Preferring relatively humid climates, not too intense sunlight, and light soils with a tendency towards acidity, this authentic border bush is ideal for milder areas. It is deserving of a prime location in all gardens. 

Native to the Chinese region of Jiangsu, found on the edge of forests between 500 and 800 metres (1640 and 2625 feet) above sea level, this large deciduous shrub belongs to the family of Styracaceae, a botanical family composed of trees and shrubs with aromatic resin. It prefers shade and fresh, humus-rich, non-limestone soil. It is sensitive to dry and cold winds when young. Still, the Sinojackia xylocarpa can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (1°F) once well-established.

With slow growth, the Chinese Jackfruit will reach an average height of 5m (16ft) with a width of 3m, sometimes more, depending on the growing conditions. Its habit is bushy and spreading, supported by initially upright branches and then slightly trailing. Its branches are downy, grey-brown to reddish-brown in colour. The deciduous foliage falls in late autumn. It is composed of two types of simple leaves. On the branches that bear flowers, they are small, measuring 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) long and 1.5 to 2 cm (1in) wide and oval in shape. On other parts of the plant, they are elliptical in shape, with dentate edges, longer and larger: each leaf measures 3 to 9 cm (1 to 4in) long and 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) wide. They are glossy, very bright green, but with lighter veins and often take on red hues in autumn before falling. Flowering occurs in April-May, depending on the area. It takes the form of small clusters of 4 to 5 flowers hanging from a peduncle under the branches in the axils of the leaves. They are like tiny white bells with a diameter of 2 to 2.5 cm (1in), usually with 6 petals surrounding a heart of yellow stamens from which a long white pistil emerges, measuring 8 mm (1in) long. The flowering, visited by pollinating insects, gives way to ovoid and dry fruits sought by birds and rodents. 

To grow this Chinese jackfruit successfully, give it a few hours of sunlight, but avoid the hottest hours of the day. They like the environments that appeal to Asian Styrax, hydrangeas, and flowering dogwoods. Relatively adaptable, this beautiful shrub will not thrive in hot and/or dry climates in summer. Plant it in a flower bed, near a pathway, or not far from the house to enjoy its graceful flowering and autumn colours. The refinement of the Sinojackia xylocarpa perfectly matches the beautiful vegetation of non-invasive Fargesia bamboo or the delicacy of Japanese maple trees. Japanese grasses (Hakonechloa) or liriopes are perfect to adorn their base.