Paliuris spina-christii
Christ's thorn, Crown of thorns, Jerusalem thorn
- Height × spread
- 4m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This unusual shrub has rounded, light yellowish green leaves held on venous red stems. These carry pairs of small curved spines of varying lengths. There are quite delicate racemes of greenish yellow flowers in late summer and then circular fruits - said to look like cardinal's hats. There is yellow autumn colour before leaf fall. The shrub which a rather wayward growth habit. needs a sunny to lightly shaded in any rich soil that is well drained. Feed it for the best results and it will eventually reach around 4m (13ft) high with a 3m (10ft) spread.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, delicate
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 3m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Architectural
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- Yes, stems are prickly/thorny
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.