An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility, ranging from acid to shallow chalk. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are relatively shade tolerant, though they are not happy when growing in dense shade. They grow badly when exposed to strong cold winds. Plants are hardy to about -25°c. The flowers have a rather unpleasant smell to most people, though they are attractive to insects. Plants have a suckering habit and can quickly form dense thickets. They can be coppiced regularly and will throw up long straight stems after being cut back. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Fruit - raw or cooked. A bitter flavor, it can also have an emetic effect on the body. It is not worthwhile. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter. An oil is obtained from the seed, it is edible when refined.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage. Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months.

Mixed woods, scrub and hedgerows, especially on calcareous soils.