Common Name: Xue Liu

General Information

Fontanesia fortunei is a much-branched, deciduous shrub or small tree that forms a great number of slender twigs; it usually grows around 3 - 5 metres tall in cultivation, but is said to become a tree up to 12 metres tall in its native habitat[].
An ornamental shrub, it is sometimes used as a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - northern and eastern China.

Habitat

Near gullies, by streams, or in woods; at elevations up to 800 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Fontanesia fortunei is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating winter temperatures falling to around -20°c[].
An easily cultivated plant[], it succeeds in any reasonably well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The Chinese make fences around their compounds with interlaced branches of this plant. These branches take root and form a graceful hedge[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a cold frame[].
Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn to late winter in a sheltered outdoor bed root easily[]. Fairly large branches can be used and placed direct into their final position to quickly produce a hedge[].