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Aralia spinosa (Devil's walking stick, Hercules club, Angelica tree, Prickly ash)

Aralia spinosa Photo/Illustration: Virginia Ducey, courtesy of www.plantdelights.com



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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Aralia spinosa ah-RAY-lee-ah spin-OH-sah Common Name: Devil's walking stick, Hercules club, Angelica tree, Prickly ash Genus: Aralia
The textural quality of this eastern native's stems and foliage is superb. During winter, a circle of the thorn-covered stems is as magical as an outdoor sculpture. Dark blue-green compound leaves offer a tropical effect before turning yellow and purple in autumn. One-foot-wide flower clusters sit atop the foliage in summer and transform into purple-black fruits that attract birds. Aralia spinosa grows to 30 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Handling bark and roots may cause allergic skin reactions. Attracts birds. Thorns lend strong winter interest.
 Care: Provide full sun to part shade and moist, but well drained-soil. Plant in an area where contact with the thorns is unlikely. Promptly remove suckers to prevent unwanted naturalization.
 Propagation: This plant is easy to start from seed, by division, or from root cuttings.
 Problems: Generally trouble-free, but watch for leaf spots, aphids, and mealybugs. It may be somewhat invasive.
Height 15 ft. to 30 ft.
Spread Over 30 ft.
Growth Habit Spreads
Growth Pace Fast Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Native; Showy Fall Foliage; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage; Showy Fruit
Bloom Time Early Summer; Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color White Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Naturalizing
Style Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Winter Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Shrubs

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