Toona sinensis (Cedrela sinensis) 'FLAMINGO' Chinese cedar

Cedrela = Chinese cedar is a highly decorative small tree or multistemmed shrub whose leaves and young branches when crushed release a garlic-like scent. But no worry, the plant itself has only a light spicy scent and when in bloom in has a pleasant sweet fragrance.

Flamingo is a commercially successful and probably the only variety of Chinese cedar. It is cultivated for the fascinating colours of young foliage which emerges bright coral red to fuchsia pink, changing through pale pink to light yellow and beige, turning mid green with reddish stalks in early summer. The deciduous leaves are pinnate, 25-40 cm (or more) long and appear later than the leaves on other deciduous trees in spring. Autumn colour is yellow. Inflorescence are thin, pendent, 30-40 cm long racemes of tiny, white, fragrant flowers in midsummer.

Chinese cedar is a fast grower, mostly forming a multi-stemmed large shrub with few, short lateral branches so the plant’s shape is defined by the large foliage. It is said to grow about 8-10 m tall but more often is smaller because the best way to get a nice shrub with plentiful of bright coloured new leaves is to prune it hard every spring after frosts.

It is quite soil tolerant and will live in almost any well-drained soil. However, if you prune it hard on regular basis make sure the soil has enough nutrients to support new growth. Grow it in full sun and a warm location. It can take considerable periods of drought when established. Plants older than three years are fully hardy to about -24°C (USDA zone 6).

Last update: 06-02-2010