10:39am Monday 18th January 2010
This shade-loving evergreen is as tough as old boots provided you don’t place it in full sun.
It provides a tropical touch with its glossy hand-shaped leaves and branched creamy white flowerheads in autumn.
Also known as the false castor oil plant, it has a strong architectural presence with its all-year large glossy leaves and can take up a large space, reaching 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft) when fully grown.
For white-edged leaves, go for Variegata.
A useful plant to have in the garden you’ll discover it will thrive in dry, shady places where others quickly wilt. It does, however, need shade or at least partial shade.
No pruning is necessary, just snip out any dead leaves caught by the frost to give it a spring clean.
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