Hi again JK Ricinus Communis isn't fully hardy in the UK and I wonder if you nee to move into a greenhouse or conservatory for winter. Hopefully another GoYer will have more advice.

Yes it is usually treated as an annual in the UK in bedding displays, but if it has the spikey seed pods you can save seed for growing next year

ive found them tuff as old nails in norfolk.are all the leaves going black as it could just be natural dye back.

Whatever you do, don't let kids or pets get at the seeds - they are deadly.

True, the beans are poisonous if ingested....google ricin

ill remember that and get the nieghber in for a special hot cup of tea lol

Ooo - or a nice bowl of hot ricin bean soup - yummy! ;-)

Can I ask if you're sure it's Riccinus? Or could it be Fatsia japonica, because the leaves on the latter do go black before they drop, and it is an outdoor, hardy shrub?

thats what i thaught bamboo

Good point....they do look similar.