Tetrapanax Rex (Rice Paper Plant)
Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'
Overview
Tetrapanax Rex is a dramatic, architectural plant that brings instant tropical flair to British gardens. This striking cultivar of the rice paper plant features enormous, deeply-lobed leaves that can reach up to 60cm across, creating a bold statement piece that's surprisingly hardy for our climate. With its exotic appearance and relatively easy care requirements, it's perfect for gardeners wanting to create a jungle-like atmosphere without the fuss of tender plants.
Key Features
Foliage: The star attraction of Tetrapanax Rex is its spectacular leaves. Each leaf is deeply divided into 7-11 lobes, creating an almost hand-like appearance. The upper surface is a rich, glossy green, whilst the undersides are covered in a distinctive white, felt-like coating that adds textural interest when the leaves flutter in the breeze.
Size: This vigorous grower typically reaches 3-4 metres in height with a similar spread, though in ideal conditions it can grow even larger. The thick, sturdy stems are clothed in a rusty-brown felt that adds winter interest when the leaves have fallen.
Flowers: In late summer, mature plants produce impressive clusters of creamy-white flowers held on branching stems above the foliage. These are followed by small black berries that birds find attractive.
Growing Conditions
Hardiness: Fully hardy to approximately -10°C, making it suitable for most UK gardens. In very cold areas, the top growth may be killed by frost, but the plant typically regenerates from the base in spring.
Position: Thrives in a sheltered spot with partial shade to full sun. Protection from strong winds is essential, as the large leaves can be damaged by buffeting.
Soil: Prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil but is surprisingly adaptable to different soil types. Benefits from the addition of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure.
Watering: Requires consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. The large leaves lose significant amounts of water through transpiration, so regular watering in summer is crucial for best performance.
Planting and Care
Planting: Best planted in spring after the risk of hard frosts has passed. Dig a generous planting hole and incorporate plenty of organic matter. Space plants at least 2 metres apart to allow for their ultimate spread.
Feeding: Benefits from an annual mulch of compost or well-rotted manure in spring. During the growing season, a monthly feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser will promote vigorous growth and larger leaves.
Pruning: Remove any frost-damaged growth in late spring. The plant can be cut back hard if needed, as it regenerates readily from the base. Wear gloves when handling, as the stems and leaves can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Winter Care: In colder regions, protect the root area with a thick mulch of compost or bark chippings. The top growth may die back in harsh winters, but this is normal and new shoots will emerge in spring.
Design Uses
Tetrapanax Rex is exceptional as a specimen plant in exotic or tropical-style gardens. It pairs beautifully with other architectural plants such as tree ferns, bananas, and large-leaved hostas. Use it as a backdrop for smaller tropical plants or as a focal point in mixed borders. It's also excellent in large containers for patios, though it will need regular watering and feeding.
The plant's bold texture makes it invaluable for creating dramatic contrasts with fine-leaved plants like grasses or delicate perennials. Its rapid growth makes it ideal for new gardens where quick impact is desired.
Propagation
Easily propagated by root cuttings taken in late winter or by dividing established clumps in spring. The plant also self-seeds readily, and seedlings can be transplanted when large enough to handle.
Potential Issues
Generally pest and disease-free, though slugs and snails may occasionally damage young shoots. The main challenge is providing adequate shelter from strong winds, which can shred the large leaves. In very dry conditions, the leaves may develop brown edges, indicating the need for more consistent watering.
Summary
Tetrapanax Rex offers gardeners the opportunity to create a truly exotic garden experience with a plant that's both hardy and relatively low-maintenance. Its spectacular foliage and architectural presence make it a conversation starter that brings year-round structure to the garden. Whether used as a statement plant or as part of a tropical-themed planting scheme, this remarkable plant is sure to impress both gardeners and visitors alike.
Buying Shrubs from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we sell a variety of shrubs both evergreen and deciduous with a variety of flowering times throughout the year. At certain times of the year our shrubs you buy from us may not look like the images shown on our website when deciduous leaves have fallen, the shrub has finished flowering or has been trimmed back.
Some leaves on evergreen shrubs can be damaged in winter by frost or harsh winds but in spring new leaves will readily replace those damaged. This is quite normal on many evergreen varieties and is preferable to plants grown with excessive protection that show cold shock once planted out and establish less satisfactory initially.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
* Please Note: Shrubs in 20 litre pots and above might require a pallet delivery starting at £79.99 per pallet. Depending on the exact pot size and height it may be possible to get approximately 5 plants per pallet at no extra cost. The maximum height we can dispatch on a pallet is 2.0m, this includes the height of the pallet and pot.
Shrubs are deciduous or evergreen woody plants, and often provide fragrant flowers, berries and foliage. They are good for structural framework, and they can provide a wonderful shelter and food source for wildlife.
Planting and Conditions
Container grown shrubs can be grown at any time of year. It is a little known fact that shrubs planted in the autumn and winter will be easier to look after than those planted in the spring and summer, because they will have time to establish and become hardy in the cooler months.
Plant the shrub at the same depth as it was in its original pot. Planting too deeply can result in root and stem rot.
One of the biggest causes of death in new shrubs is drought stress, so keep it well watered until it’s established.
Make sure you loosen the soil prior to planting. Most shrubs are tolerant of most soil types as long as it is fairly well draining.
Most shrubs will grow happily in containers, but they will be much more demanding on feeding and watering than shrubs in the ground would be. They will also need potting on every couple of years so that they don’t suffocate or become stunted in their pot.
Aftercare and Pruning
Once established, shrubs generally do not require much water. However, at first they need careful, frequent watering and should not be left to dry out.
Shrubs in the ground are generally not demanding and in most cases, annual feeding with general purpose fertilizer will suffice. Shrubs in containers may need more feeding; usually from early spring until late summer.
Shrubs also benefit from mulching in order to supress weeds, conserve moisture and provide vital nutrients. Mulch also greatly improves soil conditions. Shrubs can be mulched in late winter, after fertiliser has been applied, but it can be mulched through autumn to late spring as long as the ground is damp.
All shrubs benefit from dead-heading once spent flowers become apparent. Rhododendrons and Lilac especially benefit from the removal of dead flowers.
Some shrubs may show signs of reverted growth or ‘sporting’. This is where random shoots of different leaves associated with the plant’s parentage begin to appear. Most commonly this is where plants with variegated leaves sprout pure green growths instead of variegated ones.
To control reversion, remove reverted shoots promptly to discourage them. Reverted shoots are usually much more vigorous than the variegated ones, and thus should be completely pruned out and cut back into wood containing variegated foliage.
Potential Issues
Although shrubs are usually very robust garden plants, they can sometimes start to decline with no apparent or obvious reason.
This will start with browning leaves, which could indicate plant stress due to lack of water or waterlogging, an establishment failure or, in the worst case scenario, honey fungus. Another cause of leaf browning is a high salt content in the soil. This could be a natural occurrence, especially if you live near the ocean, or it could be from over fertilisation.
To remedy a high salt content, cut back on fertiliser and step up your watering regime for the next few weeks. If you live by the ocean, this will be harder to remedy—but stepping up your watering will help to wash some of the salt away all the same.
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