Trochodendron aralioides (The Cartwheel Tree)

We like revitalising your interest in plants that have for a variety of reasons often come to be ignored by UK growers and are rare to find in the broader commercial horticultural industry. Trochodendron aralioides is one of Guy’s favourite re-discoveries in recent years. Described to him years ago by Angus White as 'the loneliest plant in the world', this is a very old form of plant and it has no other living relatives. If you get plant taxonomy, you'll understand that this is an almost unparalleled order of loneliness. Originating from the broadleaved evergreen forests of Japan and Taiwan it was introduced to the west in the mid nineteenth century. After a celebrated period in the spot-light it appeared to fall from favour. Why - we really can’t understand. It is truly an incredible, multi-faceted plant.

At any stage of growth it has elegance. In maturity, it is most sophisticated. It grows as a tree or large shrub with clusters of defined pointed leaves that are a vibrant green when young turning to a darker statelier tone when mature. The juvenile leaves develop with a bright yellow-green sharply defined edging which makes them stand out against neighbouring foliage. At this stage, they add a dynamic contrast to surrounding planting. The stems are green but this is not what the eye is drawn to. The leaf buds are long and pointed before the new leaves emerge bronze, maturing to green before the appearance of clusters of yellow-green flowers for a female plant and purplish flowers for a male. As if this isn’t enough, the fruits which follow are really quite astonishing, forming clusters of delicate bell shapes, with each fruit shaped rather like a cartwheel. These go through various subtle colour changes. Perhaps the most beguiling of them being a gentle silvery tone.

Whether grown as a single stemmed tree or a broadly domed shrub, they are happiest in conditions reminiscent of woodland edge with deep, rich loamy soils and shelter from the cold, drying winds. It grows slowly and gently, but over a lifetime or more, could reach 17m. No longer reclusive: it’s refined, resilient, robust, radiant, rich, rare, revered, remarkable and relictual (an ancient species with evolutionary significance).

Propagated by us from seed or cuttings. Remember that there are both male and female plants and it could take several years to achieve maturity enough to flower depending on the size of plant you choose from our nursery.