Ranzania (Berberidaceae)

japonica

A plant of horticultural legend, far too infrequently encountered and an unlikely member of the Berberis family, originating from the mountains of Honshu, Japan. Slow-growing perennial with wiry upright stems to 40cm tall, bearing two tri-lobed thin textured leaves. With slender pedicells 4cm long, which elongate after the cup-shaped violet-blue flowers 2.5cm across are pollinated, to bear white ellipsoidal berries. Best grown in a woodsy free draining lime free soil that does not dry out, in bright shade. More than one size available.