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| Category: Tree |
| Family: Malvaceae (w/Bombacaceae & Sterculeacea) |
| Origin: China (Asia) |
| Flower Color: Greenish White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Synonyms: [Sterculia platanifolia, F. platanifolia] |
| Height: 20-30 feet |
| Width: 15-20 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Firmiana simplex (Chinese Parasol Tree) - This slow growing deciduous tree to 25 to 35 feet tall and 20 feet wide with a rounded umbrella-like canopy comes from China and Japan. It has smooth gray bark and distinctive tropical-looking 1 foot wide leaves that are palmate with three to five lobes. Large, loose, upright clusters of inconspicuous greenish-white flowers appear at the ends of the branches in late spring and are followed by 3" to 4" long seed pods. Plant in full sun. This tree has low water needs once established. It is hardy to about 10-15 degrees F. This tree has been recommended for street plantings by the Street Tree Seminar in their book Street Trees Recommended for Southern California. Santa Barbara City arborist Dave Gress has commented that unfortunately this tree is a host for Giant White Fly where this pest is a problem. We grew and sold this tree from 1996 until 2006. It has since been noted as a tree that naturalizes in Texas where it is considered and invasive plant.
The information about Firmiana simplex that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
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