Helwingia

Ok, here is a weird one. In the family Helwingiaceae there is but one genus, Helwingia which has 3 species. Helwingia has epiphyllus flowers which means they bloom from the midrib of the leaves. This male plant was collected by Hinkley in Sichuan and will be evergreen. Small light pink flowers.

A handsome clone from the late J.C. Raulston which we have propagated by cuttings. Broad and glossy green leaves 2" wide by nearly 4" long are most attractive in new growth being a fine plum color. This curious genus is notable for the fruit seemingly set on the midrib of the upper leaf surface which won't happen with this clone as it is male. The small insignificant flowers do little more than further damage the fragile male ego but if you are lucky enough to have a female clone nearby, then you can expect purplish black drupes to appear on the leaf blade. Fascinating and attractive evergreen shrub to 6'-8' and hardy to zone 6.