Zhejiang Phoebe
Phoebe chekiangensis
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Phoebe chekiangensis is one of a group of Chinese evergreens that could give the American South a whole new kind of shade tree. Upright and clean-limbed, the tree carries dense, leathery, dark green leaves much like those of the related redbay, glossy and handsome the year round, and grows at a steady pace into a small to medium tree of real presence.
The plant belongs to Lauraceae, the laurel family, close kin to Persea, the avocado and the native redbays, and to the storied nanmu trees of China. Nanmu is among the most prized timbers in the world, fine-grained, aromatic, and durable, so valued in imperial China that whole logs went into the pillars of the Forbidden City; Phoebe chekiangensis is one of the genuine nanmu species, though the legendary golden-silk grade belongs to a few relatives. The epithet chekiangensis marks the tree's home in Zhejiang province, on the old spelling, in southeastern China.
In the wild the species is genuinely rare, listed as vulnerable and protected in China as a second-class species, the wild stands thinned by cutting and slow to regenerate, so growing a nursery tree is a small act of conservation as much as a garden choice. Woodlanders has watched the tree closely: one grew into a beautiful young specimen in a city park here in Aiken, South Carolina, before an ice storm brought the young tree down, a fair reminder that a broadleaf evergreen loaded with ice asks for a sheltered spot at the cold edge of the range. A second specimen grows intertwined with a magnolia at Hopeland Gardens, a verdant love story of some 40 odd years.
Give Phoebe chekiangensis sun to light shade and good, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil, ideally with some shelter from hard, drying winter wind, and expect an evergreen of USDA zones 8 and 9. The flowers are small and quiet and the little dark fruits sit on reddish cups, but the reason to grow the tree is the foliage and the form, a lustrous evergreen anchor for a Southern garden, at home among camellias and ferns. For the collector of rare woody plants, this is a chance to grow a piece of Chinese forest history.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Moist, Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 20–40 Feet · Spread 15–25 Feet
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
Small, inconspicuous flowers; small dark fruits on reddish cups
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.