Ukogi, Five Leafed Aralia
Eleutherococcus sieboldianus

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Green, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Rounded.

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Escaped from cultivation in Japan, where it grows wild in calcareous soils.

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young leaves - cooked. A delicious somewhat fragrant flavour. The dried leaves are a tea substitute.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

The plant is used as a hedge.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Hedge, Massing, Screen, Specimen. Prefers a light warm open loamy humus-rich soil and a position sheltered from north and east winds. Prefers a well-drained soil and full sun. Thrives in sun or shade according to another report. Tolerates urban pollution and poor soils. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c if they are sheltered from cold winds. Cultivated as a medicinal and culinary plant in Japan, there are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It can be slow to germinate. Stored seed requires 6 months warm followed by 3 months cold stratification and can be very slow to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of ripe wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 30cm long in a cold frame. Root cuttings in late winter. Division of suckers in the dormant season.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Acanthopanax pentaphylla. A. spinosus. Aralia pentaphylla.