Height: to 20’ Spread: 20’ + Light Needs: part sun to shade Water: average Flower color: white Bloom time: July, Aug
This deciduous shrub has solitary, upright, spiny stems that spread slowly by rhizomes. Plants tend to form tight colonies in bright light and more open colonies in shade. Its large leaves have an unusual look. They are divided multiple times. The overall appearance is somewhat like that of a tree fern. Small white flowers are produced on erect, three to four foot long clusters. The flowers are followed by small, purple-black fruits. Depending upon your tolerance for spines, it may be best suited for a large garden or a natural area. The flowers attract a variety of insect pollinators. Birds eat the fruits. Deer may nibble at the leaves of young plants but spines on the ribs prevent extensive damage.
