Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana - Dove Tree

Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana, a rare form of the handkerchief tree in cultivation, possesses the same characteristics as the species except for the glabrous aspect of the underside of its leaves. Otherwise, this subspecies has the same characteristics as the type; it offers an extraordinary spring flowering in the form of balls of stamens surrounded by large, decorative white bracts that persist for a long time on the branches. Distributed throughout the branches like little pockets, this unusual flowering is the origin of the plant's vernacular name. This tree, which prefers a humid and cool climate, is quite easy to grow in ordinary but deep, fertile, light, and moist soil. It is a majestic tree that deserves a prominent location, preferably in partial shade, in a sheltered position.

Davidia involucrata is a plant in the Nyssaceae family, just like the Nyssa sylvatica with its splendid autumn colours. This fully hardy tree, the only representative of its genus, is native to the western Sichuan province in China. It was discovered there in 1869 by a missionary botanist named Jean-Pierre Armand-David, who gave it its specific name. In nature, this tree with a rounded habit can live for a hundred years and reach a height of 20m (65ft 7in). In our gardens, it rarely exceeds 12m (39ft 5in) in all directions.

The 'vilmoriniana' form is not widely available in horticultural trade. It is physically distinguishable from the species by its glabrous foliage on the underside, as well as microscopically by a different number of chromosomes that prevents the cross-breeding of these two subspecies to produce fertile hybrid offspring. Its habit is spreading and rounded, and its dimensions do not exceed 12m (39ft 5in) in height and 10m (32ft 10in) in width. The growth is quite slow, depending on the growing conditions. The foliage of this Davidia is deciduous. The heart-shaped leaves measure from 8 to 16cm (6.3in) in length, they have toothed edges and resemble those of the lime tree. They are a bright light green on the top, with a greyish underside, devoid of hairs. Only plants that are around fifteen years old are capable of flowering.

This tree provides remarkable flowering. From May to June, pendulous inflorescences appear, composed of small flowers measuring 1-2cm (0.4 - 0.8in) in diameter, surrounded by a pair of large, unequal bracts, halfway between a leaf and a petal, of a pure white, highly decorative colour. The inflorescences measure 15cm (5.9in) in length. The globular flowers consist of reddish-purple anthers and numerous white stamens. After flowering, pendant fruits of 2-4cm (0.8 - 1.6in) in diameter appear in balls of brown colour that remain on the tree during the winter.

Place the Handkerchief Tree in isolation in your garden, in groves or small groups with large white-flowering dogwoods such as the Cornus controversa, remarkable for its horizontally layered habit, to accompany it in acidic soil, choose, for example, Rhododendrons, Pieris, Leucothoe, or Corylopsis. In limestone soil, opt for Osmanthus, viburnums, Aronia, spireas, Euonymus, or Iteas. Plant shade-loving perennials at its base capable of covering the ground, such as foamflowers, Pachysandra, fairy bells, Christmas roses, lungworts, or hostas.