reinii

This Japanese species is variable in size depending on elevation; it grows to 10ft at low elevations and less than 2ft high on the mountains including Mt Fuji, Hokkaido, Honshu and the southern Kuril Islands. It grows naturally in sunny locations with gravelly, nutrient-poor soils. In our nursery it is 6-7ft after three years and is growing in a rich moist clay-based loam. This species would appear more ‘natural’ in a rock garden with a lean soil mix. Reinii has very attractive foliage that is dark green above and powdery white below with a wavy edge to the leaves. Deer have never appeared to have dined on this species. Ours are male plants with 2in long, attractive and abundant bright yellow catkins. The Chicago Botanic Garden kindly shared cuttings with us.