Davidia involucrata (syn. 'S.H.N.') 'SONOMA' dove tree

Sonoma is a smaller, garden‑friendly form of Davidia that will not overwhelm a garden with its size yet offers flowers much earlier and often in greater abundance. The true flowers are arranged in a small, rounded inflorescence of inconspicuous green florets with wine‑red stamens, surrounded by large, pure white bracts. Appearing in May, these bracts resemble handkerchiefs and give the tree both its charm and its common name, the “handkerchief tree,” in many languages. Because a pair of white bracts can also evoke two doves facing one another, the English name dove tree has become established. In ‘Sonoma’, the bracts often appear more numerous and more striking than in the wild species, making the “handkerchief” effect particularly pronounced. The leaves are broadly ovate to heart‑shaped, with a distinctly serrated margin and a deep green colour; in autumn, many plants turn rich golden to scarlet or even carmine red shades, adding further ornamental value.

In habit, ‘Sonoma’ is more compact and slower growing than the botanical form found in the wild, making it a suitable choice for smaller gardens or urban plantings where there is no room for a massive specimen tree. Nursery catalogues list varying size estimates: a height of around 6 m and a spread of about 3 m are commonly mentioned, while smaller dimensions after ten years, such as 4 × 3 m, are also cited. However, owing to the relatively young age of this selection, its ultimate mature size has not yet been firmly established. Thanks to its compact habit, ‘Sonoma’ performs well where space is limited, or as a striking specimen on a smaller site.

‘Sonoma’ originated in northern California, where it was discovered and introduced by Sonoma Horticultural Nursery; the parent tree was reportedly around sixty years old, and this early‑flowering form was selected from it. Its main attraction lies in the precocity with which it comes into flower: grafted plants begin to bloom after just two to three years, sometimes even on very young whips, a trait that has greatly increased both grower interest and the price of young plants. The cultivar is propagated mainly by grafting and cuttings and is now available almost worldwide, wherever dove Davidia finds suitable growing conditions.

The dove tree does not like extremes. In the wild it grows in montane mixed forests of western and south-western China (roughly 1100-2600 m above sea level), so the ideal site is sheltered from drying winds and receives plenty of light — preferably full sun to partial shade (in warmer locations it benefits from afternoon shade). Soil should be deep, fertile, humus-rich, consistently slightly moist but well drained. Summer drought reduces leaf size and the bracts around the flowers, prevents autumn colour and can make the tree “age” within a single season; conversely, permanently waterlogged soil is an invitation to problems. Soil pH is not critical, but the best autumn colour has been observed on acidic soils. Hardiness is most often given as down to −23 °C, but we have found that in a sheltered position a tree with mature wood can tolerate short-term dips to around −27 °C, provided there are no black frosts.

Last update 04-05-2014; 17-01-2026