Pterostyrax corymbosus (aka P. corymbosa) – Little Epaulette Tree. Large multi-stemmed shrub or can be trained into a single stem tree sans too much difficulty. White epaulette-like flowers occur in profusion in June and July. Simple alternate leaves are medium to dark green displaying a satin sheen with silvery undersides. Veins are handsomely articulated and the texture is relatively thick. Little Epaulette Tree may grow upwards of 30 feet. Having come originally as Hovenia dulcis from a Washington State nursery that is now defunct it is Kyle D. who discovered the error and set us straight. We believed it to be H. dulcis for 20 years. So, any of our customers who have purchased this from us as Hovenia d. please change the identification tags on this fine woody... and make no mistake: this is a fine woody that is hard to find. Michael Dirr in his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants shares an anecdote... "A rather tricky plant to identify in leaf; looks like nothing else, but then what is it...? In summer of 2006 walked Smith College Campus and the Driector, Dr. Mike Marcotrigiano, pointed me to this unidentified small tree/shrub. I poindered, said P. corymbosa; Mike said "what?" Kind of this plant's plight... operates under the garden radar." If you have planted a P. corymosus you are well on the way to owning your very own botanic garden. Full sun in fertile, draining soil. Cutting grown.
From Richard C. (MA) on 8.22.2018 - "The Pterostyrax corymbosus arrived yesterday. You grew a very nice plant and took great care in the packaging and shipping. Thank you very much. I planted it today. Best, Richard" - sorry Richard: we think you received Pterostyrax hispidus.