Dove Tree, Handkerchief Tree, Ghost Tree 'Sonoma'

In my garden there is a Davidia involucrata Vilmorania that is about 20 years old. It has neer had and bracts showing on it. Can anybod...Read Morey tell me why it does not bear any flowers or bracts.

I purchased a larger plant (5 gallon) and it has done well so far. "Sonoma" is supposed to be hardier than the species. The tree I bought...Read More was in excellent condition and had a strong, well developed (but not rootbound!) root system.

I planted my tree in October of 2007, it leafed out great this spring, and has done well despite a scorching hot summer. I did let a morning glory (Minibar Rose) grow over it to help shade it during the summer since some of the leaves were getting scorched by the sun, and that seems to have helped. I was afraid the hot, intense summer in KY with the tree being in full sun from sunup until around 2-3 PM each day would be too much for the newly transplanted tree. I watered it regularly in its prime spot in a raised bed. It did have a few blooms this spring, so hopefully it'll have even more in the spring of 2009. I live in a 6b zone that is marginal for survival of this tree, but I so badly wanted to grow this tree it's worth the extra work and expense. I tried growing the species Davidia involucrata, but both of the small saplings I had died due to a hard winter and a late spring freeze. Hopefully "Sonoma" will prove hardier due to both the inherent characteristics of this cultivar and the fact that I'm starting out with a much stronger, more mature specimen.

Still uncommon... on-line sellers that list it generally want $75 for a smallish grafted plant of this cultivar. I might give in and buy...Read More one, but I tend to buy too many plants at a time and many end up dying from neglect before they are properly established.

I just today received my Davidia 'Sonoma'. It's about three feet high and looks healthy. It is to be planted in a part sun/part shade a...Read Morerea next to my home. Since the soil is so poor here in the Low Country of South Carolina, I will mix a bag of top soil, some peat moss, and some composted cow manure, and raise the planting sight since we also have poor drainage.
I will also build a wire mesh cage around it to keep it from the deer. Hopefully, I can remove the cage when the tree becomes too tall for them to nibble on.

I will update my notes as the tree grows.

...This variety of Davidia involucrata blooms in only 2 years. Currently, it's rather expensive ($125.00 U.S.) for a 2-3 foot tree. I t...Read Morehought about raiding my savings account and getting one to plant this fall...