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Hong Kong Rose Wikimedia Commons
Hamamelidaceae

Hong Kong Rose

Rhodoleia championii

Rare beauty and conservation.

Family
Hamamelidaceae
Genus
Rhodoleia
Native to
southern China, Hong Kong, Vietnam
Bloom season
Late Winter, Spring
Type
evergreen tree
Height
500–1500 cm
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
acidic, moist, well-drained
Water
moderate
Hardiness
8–10
Lifespan
perennial; long-lived tree

Did you know

  • Rhodoleia championii is the only member of its genus found in Hong Kong and is considered near-threatened.
  • Each 'flower' is actually a cluster of 5–10 small flowers surrounded by showy pink bracts.
  • It was first described by John George Champion, a British soldier and botanist, in the 1840s.
  • The tree is pollinated primarily by birds attracted to the bright bracts and copious nectar.
  • Despite the common name, it is not a true rose — it belongs to the witch hazel family.

Color meanings

Rose-Pink

rare beauty

Red

strength of wild places

Uses

  • ornamental tree
  • conservation plantings
  • parks
  • shade tree