Location, Location!

The title can pertain to lots of things when it comes to gardening and horticulture, but on this occasion I will use it to illustrate how the same plant but originating from different locations can exhibit variability which makes them become unique from one another.
One of the exotics we grow is Trochodendron aralioides, the Cartwheel Tree, and we have a couple of specimens in our garden. What's fascinating about them two is that despite being essentially the same plant, they exhibit different characteristics during the winter period. Their provenance is different though, one is an old form originally from Japan, the other a more recent collection from Taiwan.


Both forms look identical in the warmer months but once the cold weather sets in then they start to look different.

The Japanese form, the oldest and most readily available one here in the UK, alot of specimens including ours tend to exhibit a matte Red/Burgundy blush on the leaves during winter....

While the Taiwanese form, a more recent collection from Crug Farm, the leaves remain glossy and a shade of fresh Apple Green. This form is supposed to be faster growing too.









It's all a matter of personal preference, some prefer the one with a Red/Burgundy blush to the leaves which seems more in keeping with the winter season; while others prefer the one retaining the glossy, fresh Apple Green shade which is a welcome sight in the winter months when lots of plants are looking tired.

Personally, I think they are both beautiful plants and very garden worthy!

Posted in: Trochodendron aralioides