Devil’s Walking Stick, also known as Hercules Club or Angelica Tree, is an untraditional, peculiar and thrilling plant that is native to Ohio’s open woods, rocky pastures and flood plains. It is a large, spreading, spiny, beautiful, unique plant that needs room to grow, away from high traffic areas. It is a fun curiosity for serious gardeners, a delight for birds and wildlife, and a plant for naturalizing in large, unused areas.
This large shrub or small tree is not for the faint of heart, as it tends to sucker freely to form dense colonies if not managed. It is a tough, pioneering plant that can grow in many soil types, but prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. However, it is very drought tolerant once established and tolerant of urban air pollution. The mesmerizing bi- to tri-pinnately compound foliage looks absolutely exotic and tropical. There are scattered prickles along the rachis (central stalk of the leaf) as well as along the length of the stout, gray stems, giving this plant its common names. The lacy, white flower clusters in late summer attract tons of bees and pollinators. The plentiful purple-black, berry-like fruits (drupes) in fall are eaten by many birds, especially Cedar Waxwings. The infructescence (the mature, fruiting inflorescence) is an eye-catching pinkish red color throughout the autumn months, adding to the attraction of the many ornamental features of this wickedly spiny plant.
Sources:
Native Trees, Shrubs, & Vines by William Cullina
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr
Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees by Charlotte Adelman & Bernard L. Schwartz
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Illinois Wildflowers
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Aralia spinosa (OH) (Devil's Walkingstick) - 3 gal
Devil's Walkingstick
Plant Care & Installation Quick-Guide
Proper acclimation and installation are key to your plant's success. Please cross-reference these tips with your plant's specific ID tags:
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Pre-Planting: Store plants in a light-appropriate area on soil or grass (avoid hot concrete or asphalt) and water daily until the soil is saturated and the pot feels heavy. If temperatures drop below 30°F, move pots to a garage or cover them to prevent root freeze.
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Installation: Dig a hole matching the depth of the pot, remove the fabric container, and ensure the plant’s crown or root flare is level with the ground. Fill gaps with soil, water heavily, and apply 2 inches of mulch—keeping it clear of the stem.
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Ongoing Care: Check moisture daily by feeling 1–2 inches into the soil; water deeply at the base if the soil feels dry or warm. Newly installed plants require frequent watering (up to 3–4 times weekly in heat) until fully established, which can take a few months for perennials and up to two years for trees.