Common Name: rosy dipelta
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native Range: Central and western China
Zone: 5 to 7
Height: 12.00 to 15.00 feet
Spread: 9.00 to 12.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Pinkish-white with yellow throat
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Other: Winter Interest
Culture
Easily grown in reasonably fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Performs well in alkaline soils. Best flower display occurs in full sun locations. Propagate from cuttings or seed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Dipelta floribunda, commonly called rosy dipelta, is a vase-shaped deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family that typically grows to 7-10’ tall, but matures in optimum growing conditions to 12-15’ tall with a spread to 9-12’ wide. It is native to mixed forest areas in central China. Notable features include: (a) fragrant, funnel-shaped, foxglove-like, pinkish-white flowers (1 1/4” long) with yellow throats which bloom singly or in clusters from late April to June, each flower having five rounded corolla lobes, (b) mahogany-colored bark which exfoliates with age in long strips providing winter interest after autumn leaf drop, (c) greenish papery bracts (peltate wings) at the corolla base which expand to surround the fruits (two-seeded achenes) as summer progresses, with the bracts turning tawny pink and finally bronze by late summer, (d) coarse, opposite, ovate to lanceolate, dull green leaves (2-4” long) which are tapered at the tip and base. Yellow and orange fall leaf color is usually not showy.
Genus name comes from the Greek words di meaning two and pelte meaning shield in reference to the shield-like bracts covering the fruit.
Specific epithet comes from the Latin word floribundus meaning abundant flowering in reference to bloom.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Cottage gardens. Borders. Foundations. Informal hedges. Screens.