Decaisnea insignis

This uncommon Chinese multi-stemmed shrub up to 20 x 20' has gained distinction from its remarkable metallic-blue seed pods, sometimes called 'deadman's fingers', the pods burst when mature to reveal seeds embedded in a sweet pulp, although quite edible it isn't always considered appealing; the very long (to 3') pinnate leaves and drooping flower racemes are quite showy and this makes a wonderful conversation piece in the garden. S-PSh/M

Decaisnea fargesii is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that is native to woodlands, thickets, mountain slopes and ravines in western China, Bhutan, NE India, Myanmar, Nepal and Sikkim. This shrub typically grows up to 20' tall and wide. It is primarily grown as an ornamental for its long odd-pinnate leaves, its monoecious flowers in drooping racemes and its exceptional metallic blue bean-like fruit pods. Although individual flowers are not particularly showy, the large racemes in bloom are interesting and attractive. Flowers give way to cylindrical, bean-like seed pods (to 4" long) that ripen to blue in fall. Common names of deadman's fingers, blue sausage fruit, blue cucumber shrub and blue bean tree all convey the general message that the fruits are quite interesting and unique. Fruits will split open at maturity to reveal a large mass of seeds embedded in edible pulp. Lepchas (aboriginal inhabitants of Sikkim) relish this fruit, but it is not eaten much outside its native geographic range. The peel of the fruit is known to contain some latex, so when enjoying the fruit, open it along it's natural seam and scoop out the flesh. Cold hardy to zone 6a and above.

The common name of this fascinating deciduous shrub conjures strange images—and it delivers. Attaining a length of 2 to 3 ft., bold pinnate leaves cloak an airy structure of stout, upright stems in tropical luxuriance. Amid young blue-tinged leaflets, which mature to dark green above and glaucus blue-green below, pendulous yellow-green panicles of dainty star-like blooms set the stage for extraordinary droves of beefy broad, 3 to 4 in. long, slate blue beans. Large decorative buds provide winter allure. Blue Bean hails from the highlands of western China but is easy to grow anywhere, when planted in a moist well-drained location, it soars.

Large clusters of finger sized, blue/turquoise-colored "beans" ripen for Halloween and, much to children's delight, look like severed witches' fingers lying in a candy bowl. For its unusual 3 ft. pinnate leaves and the curious, yellow terminal flower clusters, this multi-stemmed 12 ft. tall shrub is worth growing.

Deciduous, A small multi trunked tree with pinnate leaves to three feet long. Blooms are green - yellow in summer. Fruit look like giant been pods starting out green turning metallic blue in fall.

An uncommon Chinese shrub with very long pinnate leaves and blue seedpods. Small pale creamy yellow flowers on deciduous multistem plants, 10' tall and wide.

A weird plant that comes from China. The stems grow sparingly upright to 12'-14' and will have 18" pinnate leaves. The flowers are strange and somewhat hooded green in June. By late summer the green fruit expand to 3" fat bean pods. By late September the fruit will turn metallic blue and taste like a kiwi but are 95% seed and skin.