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
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 3
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m
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Width
7'-9' / 2.1m - 2.7m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
China
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Light Green, Ivory
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Fruit Color
Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Lime Green, Yellow Green
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Bark Color
Gray Green, Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No