The Rosy Dipelta is a large deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). It is found in mixed forest areas in its native habitat of central and western China. The first living roots were sent from China to Veitch’s nurseries in the UK around 1902. The genus name is derived from the Greek words for "two" and "shield," referring to the bracts that cover the fruit. The specific epithet is Latin, meaning abundant flowers. It tolerates afternoon shade, but flowers best in full sun with well-drained soils. With average fertile soil, it grows 7 to 10 feet tall and 9 to 12 feet wide in 10 to 20 years. Prune the oldest stems after flowering. Propagation is from seeds or stem cuttings. The fragrant foxglove-like flowers bloom late spring in clusters or as single pinkish-white flowers. The yellow and orange fall leaf color is not showy, but the exfoliating mahogany-colored bark provides winter interest. Grow as an informal hedge or screen, and a shrub border. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : No serious insect or disease problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 7 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Oval; Vase
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
2 to 4 inch long dull, dark green leaves which taper at each end. Fall color is not showy.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Pink
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower shape
Trumpet
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
1.25 inch long fragrant pale pink flowers with a yellow throat that are funnel-shaped with 5 lobes. They are borne singly or in clusters April to June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
The fruit has two seeds and is covered by greenish bracts which turn tawny pink and bronze by late summer.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Brown
Bark detail
Ash-brown to brown bark exfoliates with age in long strips
Stem detail
Branches glandular-hairy, becoming glabrous.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central China
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Achene
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden
Design feature
Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Screen/Privacy