Practical
Plants

Schisandra henryi

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Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
6 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[3][4].

Plant part
Fruit

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China from W. Hupeh to Szechwan.
Habitat
Thickets, in rich forests and woodland[2]. Forests, ravines, slopes and thickets at elevations of 500 - 2500 metres[9].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[6][8]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in the spring[8]. Germination can be slow and erratic. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for their first 2 years. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame. Overwinter in the greenhouse and plant out in late spring[3][10]. Good percentage[10]. Layering of long shoots in the autumn[6].

Cultivation

Prefers a rich well-drained moisture retentive soil[3][6]. Prefers a slightly acid soil but tolerates some alkalinity if plenty of organic matter is added to the soil[6]. Requires some protection from the most intense sunlight[6]. Plants succeed in quite deep shade and are suitable for north-facing walls[7]. Plants are intolerant of drought[K]. Plants are not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -7°c[6]. They succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country, especially if given the protection of woodland or a wall[K]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant[1], it climbs by twining around supports[5]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  7. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

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  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  9. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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