Siberian Ginseng

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Native to:
China, Japan, Korea, Russia

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Araliaceae
Genus:
Eleutherococcus
Species:
Eleutherococcus senticosus
USDA Symbol:
ELSE5

Growth Characteristics

Height:
300 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
yellow, white
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
yellow

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
4.5 - 7.0 (acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers forested, humus-rich environments

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 120–180 days
Germination Time:
30–365 days
Notes:
Seeds exhibit deep dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification; germination can be erratic and may take up to a year.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Repeated cycles of 20C then 4C, 3 months each. Very prolonged.

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society