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ELEUTHEROCOCCUS sieboldianus

Image of Eleutherococcus sieboldianus

Jesse Saylor

Family

Araliaceae

Botanical Name

ELEUTHEROCOCCUS sieboldianus

Plant Common Name

Angelica Shrub, Fiveleaf Aralia

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Imparting a lush tropical look to the temperate garden, fiveleaf aralia's jagged, hand-like foliage upon arching stems is great for all types of garden soils and exposures! An upright multistemmed shrub with long thorns from eastern China, the branches will arch and flop once they reach an extended length.

The leaves are palmate - looking like a hand with five tapering oval leaflets that have attractively jagged edges. They are arranged alternating on the smooth green-brown stems that have long thorns. In midsummer, small finger-like clusters of tiny pale creamy green flowers appear, attracting insect pollinators that lead to the formation of the small black fruits. In autumn the foliage becomes a lime green to yellow-green before falling.

Grow fiveleaf aralia in full sun to nearly full shade in any fertile garden soil that does not become soggy. It tolerates light drought and air pollution. Its pretty foliage is a great background filler for a border. Since the branches are lined with thorns, it can also be a formidable but lush-looking hedge and barrier row. Its variegated white and green leaved cultivar 'Variegatus' is more widely used by gardeners and arguably is much more ornate.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 3

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m

  • Width

    7'-9' / 2.1m - 2.7m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring, Early Summer

  • Native To

    China

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    Light Green, Ivory

  • Fruit Color

    Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Lime Green, Yellow Green

  • Bark Color

    Gray Green, Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No