It's a wonderful small, clumping, native tree. It's a wildlife magnet and often used in butterfly gardens, etc. It's one downfall might be that it can be a little harder to keep maintained, if allowed to have multiple shoots/trunks, since it's thorny.

I planted them in their permanent spots back in 2010 I think, never bothered with mulch, grass growing by them, so they are still shorter than me(6'), full sun and dry conditions. Aralia spinosa seems to spread out via suckers rather than being interested in the vertical growth game. It should flower within a year or two after you plant it, so flowers sooner than beebee tree, since that hasn't flowered for me yet. Another great thing about Aralia spinosa is great purple fall color, too.

You are welcome, ben773. Have you considered growing Heptacodium miconioides (Seven-son flower) as beeâÂÂs late-summer snacking tree? I have 2 young trees in my garden (I am in Canadian zone 5a which is probably, USDA 4a). They survived last winter with no damage at all (the winter was mild though, but with occasional frosts to -20C ( -4F)) , I am waiting to see how they will do after this winter, which was bloody cold. They start to bloom in late summer and continue blooming way into September. And they are bee magnets. And last great thing about them which I discovered last summer: they can be propagated easily by semi-hardwood side shoots! Here are a few pics of my Heptacodiums taken in September 15, 2012: First tree: Second tree: Blooms close-up:

Many of the terminal leaflets on my otherwise-healthy Devil's Walkingstick shrivel and die, but remaining leaves are fine. I haven't found any insect predators to blame for this, and as I'm about 2500 km from any native specimens, I doubt there would be. Any thoughts?