Succeeds in most conditions, but prefers a humus-rich moist soil in light shade doing well amongst shrubs and in light woods. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.

None known

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame or outdoors in a moist shaded seedbed. The seed has a limited viability, it can also be sown in spring in a cold frame but germination rates may be poor. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year. Division in March or October.

Ash woods on limestone and in damp stony woods to 1500 metres.