Alangium platanifolium

Alangium platanifolium is a bush with an exotic appearance, similar to the very polymorphic Alangium chinense, with which it is sometimes confused. This small tree or large bush is distinguished by its slightly smaller size, more bushy habit, and its deeply lobed, particularly elegant deciduous foliage. Its summer blooms are pleasantly fragrant, with clusters of small white flowers resembling tiny lilies. Alangiums thrive in full sun or partial shade, even in the understory. Their rapid growth is an additional asset for plants already endowed with unusual and exuberant foliage.

Alangium platanifolium, sometimes called Marlea platanifolia, is a shrub with variable appearance belonging to the Alangiaceae family. The distribution range of the type species is very limited, confined to Japan in western Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, as well as Korea. It is a pioneer species with fast growth typical of disturbed forests. This large, fast-growing bush will reach a height of 2-3m (6 to 10 ft) and a width of 2m (7 ft) in just 4-5 years. Its habit is broad and rounded, composed of spreading branches. The young twigs are downy, then become glabrous once mature. They bear deciduous, alternate, orbicular, long and wide leaves, 7 to 20 cm (3 to 8 in) long, composed of 3, 5 or even 7 deep lobes, with a cordate base. Their colour is a bright and vibrant green, turning yellow in autumn. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, the underside lighter. Fragrant flowering occurs in July-August. Small white flowers, 3-3.5cm (1.2 - 1.4 in) long, are grouped in clusters 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) long, in the axils of the leaves. The flowers give rise to small blue-black ribbed fruits, ovoid in shape, not exceeding 1.5 cm (0.6 in) in length, quite decorative.

Alangiums are rarely used in our gardens, despite their willingness to grow and their fragrant flowering. Relatively hardy, this shrub is capable of regrowing from the stump after a -18°C (-0.4 °F) frost and flowering the following summer. It can therefore be used in many regions, especially as it thrives in any good garden soil. It grows quickly, surprising and seducing with its hard-to-describe exotic appearance. It works well as a standalone specimen in a large garden or in front of a more utilitarian evergreen hedge. It could also be paired with a deciduous magnolia (e.g. Magnolia stellata Rosea, M. Star Wars), a Tetrapanax papyfera Rex or a giant canna. It can also be pruned to maintain a bushy habit (while enjoying its remarkable foliage up close!)