About
Aralia spinosa L. is a substantial, deciduous shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 6 meters. This plant is characterized by its robust stems and leaf stalks, which are armed with sharp spines. Its large compound leaves, measuring as much as 1.5 meters in length, feature toothed leaflets and are arranged on sparse, club-shaped branches that create a canopy resembling an umbrella. In the summer, it produces greenish-white flowers with five petals, which are clustered in large panicles, subsequently giving way to fleshy, round fruits that are purple-black in color.
About the genus
Aralia includes deciduous trees, shrubs, and perennial plants characterized by their sizable, either simple or pinnately compound foliage. The species produce small greenish-white flowers that cluster in large groups at the ends of branches, which eventually give way to small black fruits.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
- Native to
- SE USA
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grows best in a moist, neutral to acidic soil in sun or partial shade but will tolerate drought and drier soils
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, from suckers or by root cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility