Delavay’s Schefflera for the Southeast

This multiseason shrub adds tropical-looking foliage and bold fall blooms to partial-shade gardens

When I give tour of theState Botanical Garden of Tennesseein Knoxville , I always make a stop at our Delavay ’s schefflera ( Schefflera delavayi , Zones 7–11 ) . “ Who know the houseplant genus Schefflera ? ” I ask . Some recognise of it and some do n’t , but everyone is awestruck by this big , bold , broad - forget , evergreen bush .

Cousin to a houseplant favorite

Every national - plant enthusiast is familiar with the dwarf umbrella tree ( Schefflera arboricola , Zones 10–12 ) , a houseplant known for being able to withstand neglect . That Taiwanese flora , however , is quite tropical and would not resist our southeastern winter . If you are attend for a flora to stump the neighbor , judge your hand at this hardier version that is becoming more usable to gardeners .

Taxonomy and distant relatives

The taxonomy ofSchefflerais kind of unbalanced , fill with different form of works that are dense to wade through . Schefflerais in Araliaceae , a family of anthesis plant that includes Nipponese aralia ( Fatsia japonica , Zones 8–10 ) and rice - newspaper plant ( Tetrapanax papyrifer , Zones 8–11 ) . My general opinion is that even expert gardeners in the Southeast are still at the beginning of overwork this plant family for garden worthiness .

Not as tender as you might think

Delavay ’s genus Schefflera is aboriginal to the varied landscape of southwestern China . I first encountered it around a decade ago in the Pacific Northwest . At first I shrug it off as most likely only growable in the gardening wonderland of that region . lot or naivete intervene , and I bought 20 or so plants and distributed them to champion . Lo and behold , most of those industrial plant are still alert , primarily in USDA Hardiness Zone 7 .

Providing the proper conditions and care

I do think gardeners in the Southeast could get away with growing Delavay ’s schefflera in cold zones with wintertime protective cover . However , Zone 7 and above seems to be more ideal . Plants will favour well - drained dirt , fair to middling wet , and dappled shade most of the mean solar day . Survivability will be mellow in the Southeast if you could find a fashion to springtime flora . This will give works ample time to launch before colder temperatures settle in . After a few year of organization , plants will be more drought tolerant and will need little forethought .

Multiple seasons of interest

Delavay ’s schefflera is a four - season flora . In outflow new leafage come forth , cover in a woolly down of gray - dark-brown tomentum ( fuzzy haircloth ) . This covering , which protects new leaves , throw as leave mature . Older plants will pay back gardeners with outstanding bloom stalks in the fall . Blooms are almost otherworldly and arch high above broad leafage .

A vigorous grower in the right spot

Delavay ’s schefflera is not a certain affair for gardeners in the Southeast . However , if you see just the correct spot , it will have a chance to fly high . You will find the plant at many mail - order germ as well as at some sovereign garden nerve center . Give it some space in your garden ; I have seen it grow 5 feet grandiloquent and 5 foot broad in 10 years here . Schefflera are n’t just for the solarium — you may have one in your landscape painting as well .

— Andy Pulte is a staff appendage in the plant sciences department at the University of Tennessee .

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through link on this internet site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advert programs .

Scotts Cordless Grass - Shear / Shrub - Trimmer Combo

Get our latest gratuity , how - to articles , and instructional video recording send to your inbox .

Signing you up …

10 Bold Plants for Winter Interest in the Southeast

Unique Deciduous Trees for the Southeast

Plants for the Southeast to Add to Your Shopping List

Icy Blue Conifers for the Southeast

conjoin ok Gardening for a free enlist springy webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental proficient manager …

When I spotted a particular backbone buck cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few calendar month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delicious semblance shape …

When we only prioritise plant we desire over plants our landscape painting need , each season is filled with a never - terminate list of chore : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be thrifty when you enrol the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip out on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a duet …