About
A tender evergreen shrub or small tree, up to 10m high though often smaller in cultivation, with purplish stems and large, palmate leaves divided into 5-9 leathery leaflets. Flowering spikes, bearing tiny rounded clusters of white flowers, are produced in late summer, and sometimes followed by round white or dark purple berries.
About the genus
A genus of mainly evergreen, tropical shrubs and trees native to Central and South America, with variable, palmate, lobed, or radially compound leaves. Panicles of tiny, pale, cream white or greenish-white flowers are followed by dark berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitColumnar upright, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter, in a peat-free, loam-based compost, in light shade or in full light with protection from hot sun
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free