Should be able to find it. Give it room, it grows above head height. Open habit with leaves at ends only, might look good sticking out from among better-furnished shrubs - maybe something with yellowish leaves or yellow flowers to contrast with the metallic blue color of its pods.

Thanks bboy, I'm really a sucker for things that are on the unusual side. Now that I know the name I'll be on the lookout for this guy.

A......

I bought one a couple of years ago, I think from Burnt Ridge. I am discouraged about it because it has not grown much since being planted, probably because the winter die-back equals the previous summer's growth. I'm thinking of ripping it out and putting something else there that would be productive, like a dwarf Aronia, if it doesn't increase in height this year.

Sounds like it has a root rot problem or other issue.

It leafs out, grows, doesn't look sick. But the buds that grow the next year don't advance the plant in size. Unless something changes this year I would rather give the space to something that will increase in size. I was attracted to it because I like weird edibles and it is related to my Akebias. I like Akebia fruit and thought a tree might be interesting. But I get more fruit from mulberries, and more growth. I'm getting one with variegated leaves this year called Paper Doll, that sounds very interesting.

I've had one for two seasons. It has bloomed but not fruited yet. I've been told it needs a pollinator for fruit - I was just asking about it at Cistus, they have some being propagated. Mine's at 4 feet.

It's weird looking all right! I may plant one in my Halloween patch with the spider web fatsia and giant chinese lanterns. Maybe get some of those black plants there too. Right across from an elementary school, thinking of planting weird stuff near the fire hydrant to amuse the kids.

Lack of progress or actual dieback = looking sick. Water molds are very common, thanks in no small part to sloppy handling of nursery stock (pots left in puddles, dirty water being splashed around etc.) and poor top growth is a typical symptom of an infestation. The roots are under attack so the top is affected. The plant may not show complete death of individual branches. Digging it up and finding a minimal or decomposing root system is a pretty good hint that may be what is going on.