Alchornea Davidii Davids Alchornea

Alchornea Davidii or David’s Alchornea is a deciduous flowering shrub with suckering roots and multi-hued heart-shaped leaves across the year. It’s an unusual shrub that best suits partial shade and needs some shelter from the wind.

Alchornea Davidii is native to the Southern Hemisphere and mainly grows in China. It’s a shrub grown for foliage and although it has clusters of small green and red flowers in May and June, it’s the leaves that take centre stage.

Its foliage is large and heart-shaped. It emerges a vivid bright pink in spring, gently fading to pale pink and cream in summer, before going out with a bang in autumn when it turns all shades of red, yellow and orange. Its stems shoot from ground level, so it’s more of a large shrub than a tree.

Alchornea Davidii is sometimes called David’s Alchornea. It’s an unusual choice that grows well in sheltered compact gardens or mixed borders that need height and colour.

Height And Spread of Alchornea Davidii
David’s Alchornea reaches a maximum height of two metres and less in spread over 10 years.

How Hardy Is Alchornea Davidii
David’s Alchornea is hardy in most of the UK down to freezing temperatures if its roots are well-drained and it has shelter from the prevailing wind.

How To Use Alchornea Davidii
This is a superb shrub for colour and form. It suits low maintenance country cottage gardens with its pretty heart-shaped leaves and modern urban spaces with its changing shades and structural height. 
If you have a sheltered space David’s Alchornea will fill it with bright vivid colours. It will grow on a slope and in a large well-watered and fed container on a patio or wind-sheltered balcony too.

How To Care For Alchornea Davidii
David’s Alchornea is best grown in semi-shade that’s sheltered from harsh, freezing winds that can damage its large leaves. It tolerates the majority of well-drained soil including sandy or chalky areas.
Pruning isn’t necessary, but you may want to remove the suckers in early spring to prevent them from spreading. Water well until established and apply a thick layer of mulch to protect the roots in winter and boost its superb foliage colours in summer.