ALCHORNEA davidii

Description

The Plant

The ALCHORNEA davidii, also known as David’s Alchornea, is a deciduous plant originating from China.

In spring, it develops foliage of a bright red hue. Then, as summer approaches, the round and crinkled foliage turns green.

Later, in autumn, the leaves turn yellow, orange, and red, once again brightening the garden.

Despite its exotic origins, David’s Alchornea withstands temperatures as low as -20° C. However, during the first few years, the plant may freeze and restart from the base, which is perfectly normal.

How to plant and care for ALCHORNEA davidii ?

Planting

To fully benefit from the qualities of this wonderful shrub, observe the following points:

1. Find a sheltered spot protected from the wind, in full sun or partial shade.
2. The soil should be light or standard.
3. The plant tolerates acidic, neutral, and calcareous pH levels.
4. For proper preparation of the planting hole, we have designed specific instructions available here.

Care

As with any newly planted shrub, ensure proper watering during dry periods for the first two years.

If you encounter the freezing phenomenon mentioned earlier during its juvenile stage, remove the dead branches AFTER budding. This prevents the removal of intact branches.

Moreover, the ALCHORNEA davidii is quite easy and does not require any special maintenance.

Furthermore, discover here how to water your garden and save water.

History and Origin

The ALCHORNEA davidii derives its name from the renowned naturalist and collector, Armand David.

Studies on its chemical and medicinal properties have also highlighted its therapeutic potential, particularly in local medicinal traditions.