Tetradium Daniellii 12L

Few trees do more for pollinators than Tetradium daniellii. From late July into August, when most trees have long finished flowering, it is covered in broad, flat heads of small, fragrant white flowers. They draw bees, hoverflies and butterflies in remarkable numbers and are prized by beekeepers as a late-season nectar source. The flowers are followed in autumn by striking clusters of red-purple seed capsules, which birds enjoy. It is native to China and Korea and was introduced to Britain in the early 1900s. It makes a handsome, fast-growing specimen with a broad, spreading, umbrella-shaped crown and smooth grey bark reminiscent of beech. The large, glossy, ash-like leaves turn yellow before they fall.

Plant in full sun or partial shade in any well-drained soil. It grows well on chalk, loam or sand, and a warm, sheltered spot gives the best flowering. It establishes quickly and can reach around 6m in 10 years. In gardens it typically matures at 8–10m, although it can eventually reach 15m in ideal conditions. Its broad, open canopy makes it a lovely lawn or woodland-edge tree for a medium to large garden, and it can also be grown as a multi-stemmed tree. Once established it copes well with dry spells, but water regularly through its first summer. Little pruning is needed beyond removing any crossing or damaged branches in winter.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.