Ephedra gerardiana

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A dense, thicket-forming, evergreen shrub to 60cm tall, with upright, jointed, deep green shoots. In summer it bears inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers; these are followed (on female plants) by red fruits. Good ground cover on dry soils

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ephedraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
A genus of shrubs, scrambling vines and more rarely, small trees found in arid regions of the world such as northern Africa and southern Europe, containing the therapeutic chemical Ephedrine, which can also have numerous negative effects on the human body. Plants have slender, green, scaley, rush-like stems and produce small 'cones' followed by bright red or orange berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Himalaya, W China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed or or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Gravel garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free