About
Hovenia dulcis, the Chinese raisin tree, is an upright, then spreading, deciduous tree with glossy, dark-green, heart-shaped leaves to 10�20 cm and sprays of small, cream, fragrant flowers in summer. As the flowers fade, the flower stems swell, turn red, and become sweet and edible � the characteristic and curious feature that gives the tree its common name. A rewarding and ornamental flowering tree for a sheltered, sunny garden.
About the genus
Hovenia are deciduous trees from East Asia with alternate, heart-shaped or oval leaves and clusters of small, greenish-yellow, fragrant flowers. The fleshy, club-like, sweet and edible flower stalks are the source of the common name 'raisin tree'.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitClimbing, Trailing
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Sub-tropical, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow indoors in a free-draining potting mix, such as a mixture of peat-free, loam-based compost, sharp sand, ground bark and charcoal. Position in bright filtered light, with moderate to high humidity, and water freely in the growing season; keep just moist in winter. Will not tolerate wet soil. See hoya cultivation
PruningPruning group 11
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or by layering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs, glasshouse whitefly and scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free