Habitat

• native to central China
• temperatures around -10^o F will result in significant leaf loss
• zone 6

Habit and Form

• evergreen shrub
• rounded habit; dense
• branches are rigid and somewhat arching
• 2' to 4' tall and slightly wider

Summer Foliage

• evergreen, leathery leaves with spiny margins
• 1' to 2" long; 0.5" wide
• alternate arrangement but often in "whorl-like" clusters on short axillary growth
• lustrous dark green color
• stems zig-zag back and forth along their length

Autumn Foliage

• evergreen, but develops a bronze or wine tinge in the cold months

Flowers

• 0.5" diameter yellow flowers in May to June
• could be showy, but often hidden by foliage

Fruit

• purplish, 0.5" long berry
• colors in August and September

Bark

• light brown
• three 0.5" ling spines at the nodes

Culture

• easily transplanted
• prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils
• full sun or light shade
• tolerant of pruning

Landscape Use

• use in groupings or mass planting
• for a low-evergreen hedge
• rock gardens

Liabilities

• lack of reliable cold hardiness limits its use in many locations; leaf scorch and drop
• tends to collect leaves and litter
• spines are present

ID Features

• evergreen, small dark green spiny leaves
• dense, mounded habit
• yellow flowers in spring
• zig-zag stems
• 3-spined nodes

Propagation

• by cuttings, either in summer or fall
• cuttings root easily, but dislike excessive moisture
• also by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

• none