Other Names:  Asian Sweetheart Tree

Description:

An exquisite small tree with thick, dark green glossy foliage, and deep mocha purple bark striped in white; splendid cherry red, heart shaped seed capsules in late summer reveal black seeds; a great accent tree for late summer and fall color

Ornamental Features

Korean Sweetheart Tree is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. It features abundant showy cherry red capsules in mid summer. It has attractive dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy pointy leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color. It features subtle clusters of buttery yellow flowers at the ends of the branches in mid spring. The smooth deep purple bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Korean Sweetheart Tree is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Korean Sweetheart Tree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Korean Sweetheart Tree will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.