Neolitsea sericea

Neolitsea sericea is a tall bush of Asian origin, still not widely cultivated. Related to the famous camphor tree, it has a fast growth rate and evergreen foliage that is highly aromatic when crushed. This species is particularly interesting in spring, when its young silvery leaves turn light brown, contrasting beautifully with the mature green leaves. Its autumn flowering is rather discreet, followed by attractive clusters of bright red fruits on the female plants. Not very hardy, this tree will be more suitable for gardens in temperate and rather humid climates, with preferably non-calcareous but light and humus-rich soil. When planted in isolation, it will form a superb specimen.

Neolitsea sericea belongs to the Lauraceae family and comes from southern Asia: Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. It reaches a height of 6m (20ft) and an average width of 5m (16ft), with a broadly conical habit. It is common for this tall bush to produce several trunks, which are warm brown in colour and can be highlighted by pruning the branches and lower limbs.

The young leaves are covered with bristles just like its young branches. They are initially silvery, then become light brown before turning apple green and finally a rather dark green. They are evergreen in winter and rich in fragrant essential oils. Oval in shape, they taper to a point and measure 8 to 18cm (3 to 7in) long and 4 to 7cm (2 to 3in) wide. Flowering occurs in October. This species is dioecious; there are female and male plants. The small pale-yellow flowers are clustered in panicles in the axils of the leaves, on the current year's growth. After pollination by insects, the female flowers, in the presence of male plants, develop into pea-shaped fruits or berries that take about a year to ripen. When ripe, this bright red fruiting resembles that of the coffee tree.

Highlight Neolitsea sericea by placing it prominently at the corner of a lawn or near a grand pathway. You can create a Japanese-style ground cover at its base, composed of Ophiopogon, Hakonecloa, Epimedium, or Pulmonaires, for example. You can also plant it alongside other small trees chosen for their flowering (magnolias, Davidia, large dogwoods), or their autumn foliage (maples, caramel tree, witch hazel).