Stachyurus praecox
early stachyurus
This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained acid soil or ericaceous compost
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: February to April
- Hardiness: fully hardy
This is a rare and unusual plant, which is seldom seen here in the UK. In late winter and early spring, pendent racemes of small, cup-shaped flowers seem to drip from the bare, arching branches, creating a beautiful show. A native of thickets and woodland throughout the Himalayas and Eastern Asia, it is ideal for adding interest to a shrub border during the coldest part of the year. Alternatively the branches can be tied onto wires or trellis and trained to form a wall shrub.
Once established, the stems that have flowered should be cut back to their base. Apply a generous layer of mulch in spring and protect it from cold, dry winds.