aralia

[Mr List]

any hardy ,shrubby-type aralia that are NOT spiny?

anybody tried aralia vietnamensis outside yet?

[greendragon]

How about a Rhus typhina, they are super hardy and exotic looking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhus_typhina

[Ian Cooke]

The Victorians used to use Ailanthus, tree of Heaven in sub-tropical bedding. When stooled it makes huge leaves although I think suckers might be a problem.

[Yorkshire Kris]

The Victorians used to use Ailanthus, tree of Heaven in sub-tropical bedding. When stooled it makes huge leaves although I think suckers might be a problem.

They do sucker and across long distances. One popped up around 6metres away from the main plant in my mums garden.

[Conifers]

Also neither Rhus nor Ailanthus look anything like Aralia

[Mr List]

a big problem is people keep suggesting trees which end up massive with massive trunks.

big shrubs to small trees are the style of plant that is suitable for my garden.
for example even the oldest elata only have a 13cm dbh.

[jungle jas]

Mr L you could prune them to keep them to a manageable size! Now a days a lot of people move on a regular bases. Therefore leaving the problem for someone else to manage.