PLANT OF THE MONTH

August 2023–Platycrater arguta

Latin Name:   Platycrater arguta

Common Name:  Tea of Heaven

Family:   Hydrangeceae

Type:   Small Deciduous Shrub

Origin:   Shanghai, China and Shikoku, Japan

Location at Bloedel Reserve:   Rhododendron Glen, Horseshoe Trail

Garden Uses:  Woodland Shade Garden

Fun Fact:  In Latin Platycrater means “Flat Bowl” and arguta means “Silver,” which serves as a nod to the bowl-shaped white flowers that bloom on the Tea of Heaven plant. Much of its native habitat cover in Japan and China have been lost, and the Tea of Heaven is now considered an endangered species in those countries.

Traditionally a tea made from the leaves from the Platycrater arguta has been used to wash and baptize statues of the Buddha.