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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Asparagaceae (~Liliaceae) |
| Origin: Mediterranean (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-4 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Asparagus aphyllus (Mediterranean Asparagus) A rhizomatous perennial with tuberous roots and airy fernlike appearance to 2 to 3 feet tall and spreading slowly wider with tough wiry branching light colored stems that hold thin green threadlike half inch long green leaves (technically cladodes) of unequal length decoratively arranged in a evenly spaced fascicles near the stem tips. In spring appear the tiny cream yellow flowers followed by fruit that turns reddish and then nearly black when ripe. Plant in full sun to light shade in most any conditions and water occasionally to not at all once established. Thought to be hardy to 15-20° F and perhaps would come up from its tuberous roots in colder situations. This curious very dry growing plant can be used as an interesting specimen or even and open short hedge. It has short thorns on the stems, so is a bit rough to work with without gloves but is not dangerously so or really what one would consider to wickedly thorny. This species widely distributed in southwestern and southeastern Europe as well as in northern Africa and western Asia and is most abundant in southern Spain and Portugal. It is also commonly called Prickly Asparagus and in Spanish is called Espárragos Portugueses. The name for the genus originates from the original Greek word 'asparagos' that was given to the cultivated asparagus. The specific epithet means without leaves as the pseudo leaves of this plant are actually considered to be flattened leaflike structures. Our plants from seed collected on an old specimen near the Geology Department building at the University of California Santa Barbara.
The information on this page is based on our research that has been conducted in our nursery library and from online sources as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in the nursery, in the nursery's garden, and in other gardens where it has been observed. We also incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that might aid others in growing Asparagus aphyllus.
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