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| Category: Tree |
| Family: Malvaceae (w/Bombacaceae & Sterculeacea) |
| Origin: China (Asia) |
| Flower Color: Greenish White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Synonyms: [Sterculia platanifolia, F. platanifolia] |
| Height: 20-30 feet |
| Width: 15-20 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Firmiana simplex (Chinese Parasol Tree) - This slow growing deciduous tree to 25 to 35 feet tall and 20 feet wide with a rounded umbrella-like canopy comes from China and Japan. It has smooth gray bark and distinctive tropical-looking 1 foot wide leaves that are palmate with three to five lobes. Large, loose, upright clusters of inconspicuous greenish-white flowers appear at the ends of the branches in late spring and are followed by 3" to 4" long seed pods. Plant in full sun. This tree has low water needs once established. It is hardy to about 10-15 degrees F. This tree has been recommended for street plantings by the Street Tree Seminar in their book Street Trees Recommended for Southern California. Santa Barbara City arborist Dave Gress has commented that unfortunately this tree is a host for Giant White Fly where this pest is a problem. We grew and sold this tree from 1996 until 2006. It has since been noted as a tree that naturalizes in Texas where it is considered and invasive plant.
The information displayed on this page about Firmiana simplex is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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