ELEUTHEROCOCCUS sieboldianus ‘Variegatus’. China. This is an odd shrubby Aralia ally, growing 5-10’ tall. The stems are slender and arching, with inconspicuous but sharp spines at the nodes. Lining them are 2-3" leaves divided palmlike into 5 leaflets. These are grey green in background and marbled with cream. The plants are deciduous in winter. Small round clusters of tiny greenish white flowers appear along the stems in summer, giving way to black, berry-like fruits. This is an interesting shrub for protected nooks as well as for containers. Light shade, well drained soil, moderate watering. Hardy to 0^oF. or less.