Acanthopanax henryi Nana - Henry's Aralia

Acanthopanax or Eleutherococcus henryi 'Nana' is a shorter form of Henry's Eleuthero. This lesser-known Asian bush, with a dense and elegant habit, is related to Japanese Aralia and is used in Chinese medicine. It has ornamental palmate foliage, discreet spring flowering, and decorative black fruiting. It can thrive in almost any growing conditions, which sometimes leads to severe pruning if it becomes too vigorous. This bush is cold-resistant, down to at least -15°C. It is rare in cultivation and differs from Eleutherococcus sieboldianus in having a more upright habit and more abundant fruiting.

Eleutherococcus henryi belongs to the Araliaceae family, just like ivy, ginseng, and tree angelica. It is native to central and southern China. In its native habitat, it can be found in fields, forests, along roadsides, and on mountain slopes. It can reach a height of 3.50m with sturdy stems bearing large thorns. Its good cold resistance, down to a minimum of -15°C, makes it adaptable to various climates. It has been reported to withstand temperatures as low as -20°C. Although it prefers moist soils, it can adapt to dry soils once established, but it does not tolerate waterlogged soils. This species also thrives in acidic, clayey, or humus-rich soils, and it tolerates urban pollution well. The plant is slow-growing and can produce suckers that are best removed. The deciduous leaves appear in spring and fall late in autumn. They are arranged in groups of 3 to 5 and attached to the branches by long green petioles. They are divided into 5 ovate, 3 to 6 cm long, green leaflets with strongly toothed edges. Near the leaf petioles, close to the nodes on the branch, there are small curved and pointed thorns. There are male and female plants. The flowering in June, consists of discreet and light white flowers. Only female specimens will have small black oval, quite decorative fruits after being pollinated by a male subject.

'Nana' is a dwarf form that reaches a height of 1.20m to 1.50m at maturity.

Eleutherococcus henryi 'Nana', while it can be planted in full sun, also tolerates slightly shaded areas of the garden and can be planted under trees and on the edge of woodland, where it develops over time. When exposed to the east or north, it can also be integrated into a loose or trimmed hedge with other shrubs. This medium-sized bush is suitable for many gardens, whether wild, exotic, Japanese-style, or English-style. In a hedge, it pairs well with privets or Ligustrum, as well as with botanical roses, spireas, Lonicera xylosteum honeysuckle, or winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima).