Seed best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 - 5 months of cold stratification. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 4 months at 20°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once the plants are 25cm or more tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions, late spring or early summer being the best time to do this.

Root cuttings 8cm long, December in a cold frame. Store the roots upside down in sand and pot up in March/April. High percentage.

Division of suckers in late winter. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.

Prefers a good deep loam and a position in semi-shade but it also succeeds in a sunny position. Requires a sheltered position. Plants are hardier when grown on poorer soils. Prefers an acid soil. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -15°c. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun.

Deciduous perennial shrub to small tree native to China. Highly ornamental, with narrow compound leaves and masses of fragrant, white flowers. Leaves turn bright red in the fall.

Classic adaptogen. The root helps you adapt to stress.

Native to cold northern lakeshores and woods of China and Siberia. For us, this plant grows best in the deep woods where there is rich soil and plenty of water.

Please note: Domestic (USA) orders will receive fresh, stratified seeds in coir from our own organic harvest, delivery December 2011. International orders, due to phytosanitary restrictions on fresh seeds, will receive the dried seeds from Siberia=150 seeds per packet.

Also note: If you are a domestic (US) customer and would like the dried seeds immediately, please order this item and let us know in the "customer comments" field at checkout. We'll send the dried seeds pronto, planto.

Germination note on dried Eleutherococcus seed: We planted 100 seeds in a gallon pot on 2/24/07 placed in a cool, moist and shady spot in our shadeouse. We noted vigorous germination at 27% on 3/17/09, a 2 year induction period. Basically, it requires the right conditions combined with the passage of 2 vernal cycles to get good germ.