Radermachera sinica
China doll, Emerald tree, Serpent tree, Asian bell
Also known as Stereospermum sinicum, Radermachera tonkinensis
- Height × spread
- 10m × 6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Generally grown as a greenhouse plant. This makes an attractive foliage plant with shiny green leaves held on green stems. The leaves are held in pairs and each leaf has three segments with a central leaf that is larger, and ending in an extended pointed tip. The plant has a pleasing style and is usually grown for its foliage. In its Chinese homeland it can reach a height of ten metres. It is then likely to flower, producing large flat-faced blooms with whorled petals coloured white, yellow, or pink and fragrant. Such flowering is unlikely when grown in the normal UK home.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 10m
- Spread
- 6m
- Height in 10 years
- 1m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.6m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Any
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Summer · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food
Use a balanced house plant feed that has been diluted so it is half strength. Feed the plant monthly with this from May until August.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Water regularly
Water regularly at all times.
Adopt a regime whereby plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).