About
Paliurus spina-christi, Christ's thorn, is a bushy, deciduous shrub with slender, viciously thorny stems and rounded, glossy, lime-green leaves. Small, greenish-yellow, star-shaped flowers in summer are followed by attractive, disc-winged, woody fruits � pale green at first, then brown � that persist into winter. An ornamental and architectural shrub for a sunny, well-drained, sheltered garden.
About the genus
Paliurus are deciduous shrubs and small trees from warm, dry areas of Eurasia and North Africa with glossy, toothed foliage, star-shaped, yellow flowers along the stems in summer and distinctive, round, winged fruits.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any well-drained soil in full sun. In cooler areas benefits from the shelter of a warm wall
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by softwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free