In The Garden Now….. Chinese Joy Forever Plant

Variegated Spike Tail Shrub

Photo and text by Victoria Gilleland

What a great name …..“Chinese Joy Forever Plant’.  When I heard that name I knew I just had to make room for one!  It makes you smile just to walk by the plant growing in the garden. Not only does it have a very happy positive name, it also starts blooming in late winter while most shrubs and trees still sport bare branches. The unique chartreuse flowers are true standouts in the winter garden. 

Spike Tail flower racemes look a lot like dangly earrings hanging from the branches. The flowers form rows of upside down waxy cuplets resembling short strings of pearls. The racemes are typically 4 inches long and appear on the bare branches before the variegated leaves emerge.  

Joy Forever Spike Tail has deep green leaves edged in creamy yellow. The variegated part of the leaf turns pinkish red in fall to blend with the deep red stems of the plant. The plant has an upright spreading habit and commonly reaches 7 feet tall and wide. Its open form makes it possible to grow an interesting variety of shrubs and perennials beneath the plant. This is an easy plant to grow and is seldom bothered by pests or disease.

  

This isn't a plant you'll see in most gardens so you might need to look around a bit to find one. It’s certainly worth the effort to get a glimpse of such a unique flowering shrub or if you have the space to add one to your woodland garden or shrub border.

  

Botanical Name:  Stachyurus  chinensis  ‘Chinese Joy Forever Plant ’

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.