X Sycoparrotia Semidecidua ‘Purple Haze’ (Hybrid fig-hazel)

A hardy and semi-deciduous shrub or small tree with a spreading habit and foliage that turns many shades over the year. Purple spring leaves become deep green in summer and then ignite into an inferno of orange and red in autumn. This one is a hybrid, hence the ‘X’.

There’s certainly a great deal of competition for autumn colour (gesturing enthusiastically at Acers, here) but the sheer range of colours displayed on this one tree over one season, from deep metallic coppery purple to flaming orange and crimson places this specimen top of our list for impact. And then as if the foliage weren’t gift enough, bright red flowers arrive in early spring to delicately festoon their spreading stems. These have an unusual form resembling those of a Witch hazel and you can point at them and explain the plants heritage to anyone who’ll listen (we do)

It’s a hybrid between Sycopsis sinensis from China and Parrotia persica from Iran. ‘Purple haze’ displays the best qualities of both, with flowers emerging from fuzzy brown buds like a Hazel, followed by foliage which is darkly glossy, elliptical and quite dense like that of Sycopsis.

Position in dappled shade in fertile, acid to neutral soil that is moist but well drained. Since one parent is Persian and one Chinese, plant in a protected spot and shelter it from nasty north winds.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.