Stachyurus chinensis 'Joy Forever'
Hanging tail
- Height × spread
- 3m × 4m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Winter, Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This shrub or small tree has strikingly variegated foliage. The good-sized leaves are broad at their base with a long tapering point and finely toothed edges. They are fresh green at their centre with a variable yellow margin that bumps erratically into the green centre. The leaves often carry pink tints on their edges and may occasionally be entirely yellow. The twigs are red-brown when young and unfurling leaves have burnished copper tints. The plant itself makes a broad spreading shrub with outreaching branches. It flowers in spring when it produces delightful dangling racemes clad in delicate, well-spaced small yellow flowers. This needs acid soil to thrive but will tolerate neutral conditions. It enjoys moisture and a partly shaded site to give of its best.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Autumn foliage
- Red
- Fruit colour
- Pink, Red
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- Yes, floral-jasmine
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 3m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Shady court
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous)
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural, Architectural, Bee attraction
- Walls
- East, South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Apply acidic mulch
Where soil is only just acidic, apply mulch with a high acidic content such as leaf mould, or mulch for ericaceous plants. Alternatively the plant can benefit from a feed of iron supplement (iron chelate) such as sequestrol.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.