Lycium barbarum (F)

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Duke of Argyll's tea tree

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Duke of Argyll's tea tree RHS / Shutterstock
Duke of Argyll's tea tree RHS / Shutterstock
Duke of Argyll's tea tree RHS 1999

Other common names

Barbary box thorn, Barbary wolfberry, Chinese box thorn, common matrimony vine, European box thorn, Tibetan goji berry, vicar's tea party

Synonyms

Lycium barbarum 'Little Goji', Lycium europaeum misapplied, Lycium halimifolium

Shrubs Fruit Edible
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A scrambling, deciduous shrub to 3m tall, with sparsely spiny stems bearing narrow, dull green leaves and small, dull purple flowers in late spring and summer. These are followed by edible, orange-red berries often known as goji berries. Image credit: Shutterstock

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Solanaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Lycium can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes scrambling, with simple entire leaves and small funnel-shaped flowers followed by red berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe to China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in free-draining soil enriched with well-rotted manure or garden compost and, ideally, train against a wall or fence for maximum fruiting. Tolerates light shade but fruits best in full sun. For more information see goji berry cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed indoors in spring. Take hardwood cuttings in winter or softwood cuttings in early summer. Layer plants in autumn or lift and replant suckers in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Hedging and screens
  • Banks and slopes
  • Edible fruit
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

If grown for fruit, prune lightly in early spring removing some of the oldest wood and shortening overlong shoots back to a lower branch. Can be cut back hard to rejuvenate if necessary. pruning group 1 for ornamental use. Cut hedges back hard in spring or trim in early summer

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and fruit may require netting to prevent birds from consuming them

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews