Chu-lan Tree, scientifically known as Aglaia odorata and commonly called Chinese perfume tree, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to sparse forests across China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. In cultivation, it typically reaches 8-10 feet tall, though some sources suggest it may grow larger if left unpruned. This ornamental treasure produces fragrant yellow flowers in early summer and showy edible fruit, thriving in Zones 10-11 where it rewards gardeners with a combination of sensory pleasures: visual beauty, fragrance, and the bonus of edible fruit.
Partial Sun
Moderate
10-11
120in H x 120in W
—
High
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The delicate yellow flower sprays that emerge in June and July fill the air with a distinctive fragrance that makes this tree a sensory experience in the garden. Beyond ornamental appeal, the tree produces showy edible fruit alongside its yellow-green foliage, giving it a rare dual-purpose character. Its moderate growth habit and tolerance for container cultivation makes it accessible even to gardeners in cooler climates willing to move it indoors seasonally.
The Chu-lan Tree serves primarily as an ornamental flowering specimen, valued for its fragrant yellow flowers that appear in early summer and its showy fruit production. While the fruit is edible, the tree's primary role in gardens is decorative and sensory rather than culinary.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
In Zones 10-11, transplant established container plants outdoors after the last frost has passed in late spring. Space plants 8-10 feet apart if establishing multiple trees. Ensure soil is well-drained and moderately fertile before planting.
Harvest fruit when it reaches full size and changes color, indicating ripeness. Fruit is showy and visually prominent on the tree, making it easy to identify when ready for picking.
Prune to maintain shape and size; the tree can be pruned even smaller than its natural 8-10 foot cultivation height if a more compact form is desired. Light pruning after flowering maintains attractive form without sacrificing next season's blooms.
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“Aglaia odorata hails from the mahogany family and grows naturally across a vast range spanning China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. In its native sparse forests and low alpine thickets, the species can reach 16-20 feet in the wild, but cultivation has selected for more manageable forms. The plant's journey to gardens outside its native range reflects the broader history of tropical ornamental plant introduction, where its combination of fragrance and hardiness to Zone 10 conditions made it desirable for both collectors and practical growers.”