Polyspora axillaris

Polyspora or Gordonia axillaris is a shrub or small evergreen tree related to camellia that will delight enthusiasts of rare and precious plants. This botanical species, offers a picturesque habit, with decorative bark, elegant evergreen foliage and late and extended summer flowering.  Its large incurved white corollas adorned with a big display of saffron yellow stamens exhale a sweet fragrance that attracts butterflies. The shrub is attractive all year round, even outside its flowering period. Sensitive to cold, it can only be acclimatised in open ground in the most sheltered gardens of the mildest regions of our country. Elsewhere, it will be placed in a large pot to be stored in a frost-free place.

Polyspora axillaris is a botanical species from the family of tea plants, Theaceae, native to southern China, Vietnam and Taiwan. In the wild, it forms a small tree that can exceed 7 metres (23 feet) in height, but will remain more modest in our climates, especially if grown in a container. The hardiness of a mature plant is around -5°C (23°F) at its lowest point. 

This slow-growing shrub develops one or more short main stems that become twisted and nodular with age. Its bark, of orange-brown colour, peels off in irregular patches, revealing a brand new beige "skin". The crown of this shrub is more or less wide, always dense and branched. In open ground, it reaches an average height of 2.50 metres (8 feet) with a spread of 1.50 metres (5 feet) at the age of 10 years. Its evergreen foliage is particularly decorative: it consists of long, slightly incurved, ovate to lanceolate, coriaceous leaves with a prominent central vein, measuring about 15 cm (6in) long. Their colour is  fairly dark glossy green with a central vein and a lighter edge. The leaves that reach the end of their life turn beautifully red before falling, quickly replaced by new leaves. Flowering generally starts in August, earlier or later depending on the climate, and lasts until October. The large rounded flower buds resemble those of camellias. They open into corollas measuring 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter composed of 6 crumpled white petals, almost translucent, surrounding a large heart of yellow stamens. They are fragrant, nectar-bearing, and attractive to bees. When they fall to the ground, with the stamens pointing towards the sky, the flowers somewhat resemble fried eggs, creating an unusual carpet.

Polyspora axillaris is a particularly ornamental small tree that thrives in sunny coastal gardens or urban gardens in mild regions. It should be placed in a prominent position, such as on a carpet of small periwinkles, moss phlox, heather or silver-leaved creeping plants, which will enhance its bark. If your climate does not allow for cultivation in open ground, you can grow it in a large pot: it can spend the summer outdoors, in the sun, and can be brought indoors in autumn to a bright and minimally heated greenhouse or conservatory. It is a plant that prefers acidic to neutral, well-drained soil that remains moist in summer.