The Wheel Tree (Trochodendron aralioides) made me curious because of its special structure and the infructescence. The evergreen tree grows to a height of 20m in its home countries Taiwan and Japan, here in Germany it remains a medium-sized shrub. Its dark green and the shiny upper leaf surfaces look noble to me and allow many combinations with other plants. The green, hermaphrodite blossoms appear from May to June.
The wheel tree is sufficiently winter-hardy and thrives best in moderately nutritious, slightly acid to slightly alkaline soils, it particularly likes partially shaded locations. This plant is also suitable as a tub plant and should – I think – definitely attract more interest.
Maike Rohde