Dichroa febrifuga ‘Yamaguchi Hardy’

Yamaguchi Hardy Dichroa. Mr. Yamaguchi was one of the first Japanese nurserymen to visit us here at the nursery. He is definitely one of the leading plantsmen in Japan and he travels much into China. He lives in the Gifu Prefecture rather high up in the mountains, probably zone 6. This plant is an evergreen  (in mild areas) Hydrangea relative growing 30-40" high  and producing numerous clusters of medium blue flowers in April. It is then followed by the most electric blue berries in the plant kingdom. It needs complete shade to retain its evergreen foliage. The leaves on this cultivar are much longer, 4" plus, than 'Yamaguchi Select'. In Zone 7, it would need good protection, but it would make an excellent pot plant in the cool greenhouse. San Marcos Growers says, "The specific epithet "febrifuga" is in reference to the use of the plant as a febrifuge, acting to reduce fever. Its use as such is reported in the Himalayas, Malaysia and China and the plant is reportedly cultivated in Russia as an anti-malarial herb." To get the electric blue berries, one needs to plant another clone so that cross pollination can be achieved.

Zones 7b-9