Helwingia japonica

Family: Cornaceae

What it is like

Helwingia japonica is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Woods and thickets in hills and low mountains of Japan. Moist rich soil in woods, thickets, valleys, streamsides and roadsides at elevations of 100 - 3400 metres.

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves - cooked with rice or boiled as a potherb. The young flowers and young shoots are also eaten.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Requires a sheltered position beneath a good tree canopy cover. Not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -7°c, it only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country. Cultivated for its leaves in Japan. The flowers are produced on the midribs of the leaves. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in late winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

H. rusciflora. Osyris japonica.