Hedera colchica Sulpher Heart

This beautiful, well known, small to medium size deciduous tree, is native to the UK and much of Northern Europe. Prized for its ornamental leaves and bark, superb clusters of bright orange edible berries and attractive autumn colours, it has long been a feature of our towns and countryside. Easy to grow, even in the coldest UK areas, at high altitude and are equally at home in lowland parks and gradens. In spring abundant corymbs of white flowers smother the tree. By autumn these have become equally abundant bright orange berries, providing a vivid display for us, much loved by birds and providing them with an excellent food supply into winter. In a good autumn the leaves turn to vibrant hues of red orange and purple before dropping. In antiquity the tree has long been associated with the deterence of Witch craft and Wizardry. The wood was used to stir milk to prevent it curdling and is still used to make divining rods. The berries while edible to humans are sour, however they have a high vitamin C content and can be made into jelly that is good eaten with meat. Altogether a charming tree that would not be out of place in most gardens.