Emmenopterys henryi is a poorly known, but highly-prized, large (150′ tall) tree in the Rubiaceae (coffee) family. It was described by plant explorer, E.H. Wilson, as one of the most beautiful of the Chinese trees, yet, it was a tree, that for years, rarely flowered in cultivation. It’s namesake, Irish botanist, Augustine Henry, first discovered it in Yunnan, China in 1887.
Emmenopterys is both quite easy to grow, and propagate, rooting easily from cuttings. It’s flowering trigger was a mystery for years, before it was learned that long, hot summer was required to induce flowers. Despite being introduced to Western cultivation in 1907, it took 80 years for the first one to flower in the UK. In the warmer climate of Italy, plants began flowering regularly, in 1971.
I received a horticulturally shocking phone call in August 1994, from Maryland plant physiologist, Dr. Al Hirsh, that his Emmenopterys was coming into flower. This would be the third known tree to flower in cultivation, and the first in North America. J.C. Raulston and I had hoped to drive up together, but sadly, his schedule didn’t allow him to accompany me, so off I went to Silver Springs, Maryland to witness and document the blessed event in person.
The top two images are our JLBG plant, flowering this year. The third image is the massive specimen at the JC Raulston Arboretum. We expect this is largest plant in North America. The bottom photo is my feeble photographic attempt to document the August 26, 1994 flowering. Hardiness is Zone 6a-10a.
Below is my photo of August 26, 1994 of the first Emmenopterys flowering in cultivation.
Interesting! and rare. It should be very happy here in the Baltimore area, especially if our heat domes continue and increase in length.
Not to minimize it one bit but from a distance, it reminds me of my Clerodendrum in bloom!
How could I get a cutting or three to try and propagate it?
Check the Southeastern Plant Symposium auction in June for a chance to acquire one.
Try a web search for “emmenopterys price usa”. I just did and got multiple hits. Of course, this returns entities trying to sell plants or seeds. And not free cuttings.
One at the Heronswood garden in Kingston, Washington was tall some years ago. I do not know current status of this specimen. Nor its origin: I bought what turned out to be a small, rooted cutting from Woodlanders nursery in South Carolina and planted it on my previous living site in Snohomish County, Washington some years ago now. They got their material from Hillier nursery in Britain. I believe I supplied Dan Hinkley with cuttings from my plant before it became under attack by an Armillaria species. Otherwise, if still present this example would be of some size. Having at first grown like a weed. Dan also has done his own wild collections of this species. So, I don’t know if the one in the Heronswood garden of notable size is from me or China. Finally, Piroche Plants of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia included this species among their selection of nursery grown plants imported from China and grown on by themselves for sales in North America. So, it was possible to encounter it on display in independent garden centers here in western Washington for a time. And anywhere else that retailers here in the US ordered and received the Piroche material. Which had variable foliage characteristics having been started from seed in C. With some plants having noticeably purplish or reddish new growth and so on.
Thanks Tony, this is very interesting. Is that the JCRA specimen now?
I’ve updated the entry on TSO. https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/emmenopterys/emmenopterys-henryi/
The photo from the specimen at the Raulston Arboretum was taken in 2025.
Thanks 🙂 Spectacular!
I planted an Emenopterys henryi last fall in my garden and it has grown quite well this year so far.
It was about 2ft in the pot when i purchased it and now it is close to 5′ in the ground. It seems to like some afternoon dappled shade but likes the morning sun. I love the growth habit, leaves and hopefully sooner than later the bracts and flowers.