ANBG Polyscias sambucifolia is an attractive foliage plant which produces blue-grey succulent fruit in summer. The flowers, although borne in large sprays from September to December, are pale green and insignificant. It is well suited to cool moist gardens and the suckering habit of the alpine form may be useful in producing a dense screen-like effect. This growth could easily be controlled if desired. Lateral branching is usually to ground level, producing a 'bushy' shrub.
Propagation is by cuttings or seed.
To reproduce selected forms cuttings should be taken in summer to autumn. The attractive dense foliage and summer fruit, the excellent tolerance of some forms to cold conditions and the ability to grow in all but very sandy soils make this relatively unknown native plant one to be recommended for garden use provided that it receives adequate water. The fine-leaved coastal form may have some applications as an indoor plant.