What hardiness zones is Davidia involucrata suitable for?

Davidia involucrata is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Davidia involucrata?

Davidia involucrata requires Part Sun.

How much water does Davidia involucrata need?

Davidia involucrata has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Davidia involucrata

dove tree

Cornaceae

Central and western China (Sichuan, Hubei, Yunnan provinces)

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height40-60 feet (12-18 m)

Width25-40 feet (7.5-12 m)

Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Maintenancelow

Overview

Davidia involucrata (dove tree, handkerchief tree, ghost tree) is a large deciduous tree native to central and western China, reaching 40–60 feet (12–18 m) tall and 25–40 feet (7.5–12 m) wide in a broadly pyramidal to rounded form. It is grown for one of the most theatrical and botanically unusual floral displays of any hardy temperate tree: in May, the branches are draped with pairs of large white bracts — one bract 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) long, the other 6–7 inches (15–18 cm) — that hang below the small globose flower heads and flutter in any breeze, giving the tree the appearance of being draped in white handkerchiefs or of doves perched throughout the canopy. It is important to understand that the bracts are not flowers or petals — the actual flowers are tiny and clustered in the globose head between the bracts; all the ornamental effect comes from the modified leaf-like bracts. The display lasts 2–3 weeks in May. Heart-shaped to ovate leaves 3–6 inches (7.5–15 cm) long are sharply serrated with a somewhat corrugated texture and soft whitish underside; these create an attractive summer canopy. Pendulous, pear-shaped to round fruits 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) with a rough surface ripen to purple in October. The tree is long-lived and slow to establish; plants grown from seed typically require 10 or more years before first flowering, while grafted plants may flower in 5–7 years. var. vilmoriniana (with glabrous leaf undersides) is more common in cultivation. Great Plant Picks endorsed. DB note: genus field contains a trailing space; correct spelling is Davidia.

Native Range

Native to central and western China, including Sichuan, Hubei, and Yunnan provinces. First introduced to western horticulture by plant hunter Ernest 'Chinese' Wilson in 1900 after a celebrated search for a tree described by Augustine Henry.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a landmark specimen for gardens large enough to accommodate a tree of 40–60 feet (12–18 m) — Great Plant Picks endorsed for PNW gardens. The May bract display is one of the most theatrical events in the temperate garden calendar: visitors who have not seen it before are invariably astonished. Best sited where it can be viewed from a distance and approached for close observation. Suitable for arboreta, estate gardens, large residential gardens, and parks. The PNW's mild, moist climate is among the best in the world for dove tree — specimens in Portland and Seattle are outstanding. The historical context of Wilson's 1900 expedition to find this species adds a compelling botanical story to the plant.

How to Identify

Unmistakable in flower: pairs of large white bracts of unequal length (one 3–4 inches / 7.5–10 cm, one 6–7 inches / 15–18 cm) hang below small globose flower heads in May, fluttering in any breeze. Heart-shaped to broadly ovate leaves 3–6 inches (7.5–15 cm) with sharp teeth and a whitish, softly hairy underside. Pear-shaped to round rough-surfaced fruits 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) ripen purple in October. var. vilmoriniana (most common in cultivation) has smooth leaf undersides; the species has hairy undersides. No other common garden tree resembles this in flower.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 60'

Width/Spread25' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Blooms in May for 2–3 weeks. The 'flowers' are actually pairs of large white bracts of unequal size hanging below small globose heads of tiny flowers: the smaller bract is 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm), the larger 6–7 inches (15–18 cm). Both bracts are pure white, papery, and flutter in the slightest breeze — this movement is a key part of the display. The actual reproductive flowers are tiny and insignificant; all ornamental value is in the bracts. Pendulous purple-green fruits ripen in October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white (large unequal bracts surrounding tiny flower heads)

Foliage Description

bright green above with whitish softly hairy underside; yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsiltclay

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered position. Morning sun with some afternoon shade is ideal in hotter PNW inland locations; the maritime coast can support full sun. Protect from strong drying winds — the large leaves and bracts can be damaged by exposed conditions. Consistent soil moisture is important; do not allow prolonged drought, especially when young. The PNW maritime climate is excellently suited to dove tree — mild winters, moist soil, and moderate temperatures allow it to thrive and flower reliably. Young plants established in the first 3–5 years; growth then becomes moderate. Patience is essential: seed-grown plants may take a decade or more to flower. Purchase grafted plants or confirmed-flowering specimens when possible for earlier results.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter (February through March) when the structure is visible. The natural broadly pyramidal form requires no corrective shaping. Do not prune into old wood unnecessarily — the tree has a defined structure that should be preserved. Young trees benefit from a single central leader; remove competing leaders in the first 5 years.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic