Polyscias sambucifolia aka Elderberry Ash

Polyscias sambucifolia is an evergreen shrub or tree. It belongs to the Araliaceae family. Common names include elderberry panax and Victorian elderberry ash. Kew gives its native range as southeast Queensland to Victoria. It grows in wet and dry sclerophyll forests. These are forests with tough leaves. It also grows near rainforest edges. Its sites range from open woodland to more sheltered forests. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

In gardens, it reaches about 15 feet [4.5 metres] tall. Plants For A Future says it grows at a moderate rate. Its leaves stay on the plant all year. Leaf form varies a great deal within the species. Some forms send up shoots called suckers. These can change how much garden space the plant takes. The account gives no width for a full-grown plant. It records flowers in May and June. Each flower has both male and female organs.

Choose deep, rich soil that holds moisture for this plant. It can grow in sand, loam, or clay. It accepts soils that are mildly acid or mildly alkaline. Neutral soil suits it too. Grow it in sun or part shade. Woodland edges and sites with dappled shade suit it. It stands strong wind, but not exposure to sea winds. In all these sites, it still prefers moist soil.

Cold limits outdoor use in Britain to milder areas. Australian garden reports note survival near 19°F [-7°C]. This figure is not a firm guide for British gardens. Cooler summers can change the outcome. So can longer, wetter winters. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 8–11. It suggests shelter for young plants through their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Wait until the risk of frost has passed.

Grow this species for its looks or as a clipped hedge. It stands shearing, and some accounts say growth is fairly fast. It yields a gum, though this does not dissolve fully. Its soft wood rots too fast to make useful timber. Plants For A Future lists no known food or medicinal uses. It lists no known hazards, but this does not confirm safety. Sow seeds under glass in spring. Softwood cuttings can root under cover in early summer. Leafless stem cuttings can also root under cover in summer.