Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree) Emmenopterys henryi
Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree) (Emmenopterys henryi) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Rubiaceae family, native to Southern and central China to northern Thailand and Vietnam. It grows 12–25 m (39–82 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
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Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Mature height | 12–25 m (39–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern and central China to northern Thailand and Vietnam |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇳 China, 🇮🇪 Ireland |
Is Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree)
- How far apart should I plant Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree)?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree)?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree) flower?
- From about July for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Emmenopterys (Henry’s tree). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- Kew Gardens: Palm House, Temperate House, Rock Garden and Mediterranean Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Found by Augustine Henry in 1887 and introduced by Ernest Wilson in 1907, it is famous for refusing to flower in gardens: the first flowering in Britain came only in 1987, at Wakehurst Place. In a hot summer, older trees bear clusters of white flowers with large papery white bracts.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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