Culture
Best in acidic, humusy, moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Plants appreciate some part afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Established plants have some resistance to drought.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sinojackia rehderiana, commonly called jacktree, is a small spreading deciduous tree or large shrub that typically grows to 15-20' tall. Pendant star-shaped white flowers (to 1" wide) in 3 to 5-flowered cymes cover the plant with bloom in spring (April-May). Flowers give way to woody drupes that ripen in July-September. Obovate-elliptic to elliptic leaves (to 3 1/2" long) are glossy dark green. Fall color is a respectable yellow.
Genus name comes from sino meaning Chinese and "jackia" which honors John George Jack (1861-1949) of the Arnold Arboretum.
Specific epithet honors American dendrologist Alfred Rehder (1863-1949). He was on the staff of Arnold Arboretum, Boston, Massachusetts and was the author or (1940).
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Ornamental flowering tree. May be difficult to find in commerce.