Alangium platanifolium var. macrophyllum is a large deciduous shrub or small tree from Japan and Korea that brings both refined foliage and delicate flowers to the garden. This botanical variety grows 12 to 15 feet tall and wide, reaching full maturity in Zones 7 through 9. The plant's small but showy flowers resemble white martagon lilies and bloom in June, while its broad, yellowish-green leaves provide attractive structure throughout the growing season. The vase-shaped form when young gradually rounds with age, creating a naturally elegant silhouette that fits seamlessly as a specimen tree or flowering hedge.
Partial Sun
Moderate
7-9
180in H x 180in W
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Moderate
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The flowers alone set this plant apart, with their delicate resemblance to white martagon lilies appearing in June against broad, lobed foliage. The architectural form shifts gracefully from a vase shape in youth to a fuller, more rounded crown at maturity. As a member of the dogwood family (Cornaceae), it connects you to a lineage of understated elegance while remaining virtually problem-free in the garden, requiring no serious management for insects or diseases.
Alangium thrives as a specimen flowering tree where its June blooms and architectural form can be appreciated up close, and it also performs admirably as a flowering hedge. Its showy flowers and attractive foliage make it particularly valuable for gardens seeking understated elegance rather than brash color.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain the desired form. The plant naturally develops an elegant vase shape when young and rounds attractively with age, so minimal intervention produces the most graceful results. Remove any dead or crossing branches, and thin out crowded stems if needed to encourage air circulation.
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“Alangium platanifolium originates from Japan and Korea, where it has grown for centuries as a valued ornamental. The taxonomic placement itself tells an interesting story: some botanical experts classify it within the traditional dogwood family (Cornaceae), while others argue it deserves its own family designation, Alangiaceae. This botanical debate reflects how much remains to be understood about this quietly impressive shrub, even as it has maintained steady cultivation in ornamental gardens across temperate regions.”