HELWINGIA chinensis. China. This is a strange but attractive shrub in the dogwood family, looking little like most of its relatives. It grows about 6’ high and wide, with erect to arching, slender stems and lance-shaped leaves. In this form, the leaves are deep green above, purple beneath, and 3-4" long. The “strange” feature is the clustering of small greenish flowers on the midribs of the leaves. These are followed by 1/4" black berries. Helwingia thrives in sun or light shade near the coast, part shade inland, in loose non-alkaline soil, with moderate to regular watering. Its hardiness is not clear; assume 20-25^oF.