Ginseng, Siberian 'Variegatus'

This very hardy Chinese shrub is still relatively rare. We sell the beautiful, variegated form which has the same effect as the green-leaved one. Its growth is quite slow; after 10 years, the shrubs are approximately 150 cm tall, and pruning is not a problem. The five-lobed, hairy leaves are large, and blue-black berries grow from white flower balls, which can ripen for a long time. The branches are thorny. In the 19th century, this species was still classified under the Panax genus, the well-known Ginseng (see edepot.wur.nl). Fortunately, this shrub is much easier to cultivate and is considered a milder form of common Ginseng; active components include eleutherosides, sterols, and flavones. You can make a medicinal tea from the young leaves.

Names:
Latin: Eleutherococcus sieboldianus
Dutch: Siberische ginseng
Also known as: Eleuthero
English: Siberian ginseng