Decaisnea fargesii

Shrub, rarely a large shrub, 2-3 (5) m tall, 2 m wide, many shoots, stiffly upright, sometimes fanned out; few twigs with thick, glaucous blue twigs; moderate growth.

Not decorative, pale green flower bells in racemes; May to June.

Fleshy, bean-like fruits, strong cobalt-blue, September to October; bile-black when ripe, edible but sweetish and slimy, very sticky; decorative fruit.

Decorative, some 50 cm long, early shoots in April, bluish green; golden green to yellow in autumn, end of October.

Few twigs, cordate roots; initially sensitive, thus mulch.

Sun to light shade; needs warmth, often sensitive to late frost even in temperate zones, thus only in protected areas, needs wind protection.

Sandy-loamy, well drained, not too heavy as frost damage is thus increased; fresh to moist, neutral to alkaline.

Cut back shoots daimaged in spring to the first or second upper shooting bud.

Zone 7a