Aralia, Japanese Spikenard 'Sun King'

Aralia, Japanese Spikenard 'Sun King'
Sun Preference
Full-Sun, No-Sun
Bloom or Harvest Time
August, September
As low as: $0.00

Description

Rapid grower with large, impressive chartreuse to yellow compound leaves and contrasting reddish brown stems. Honeybee attracting white flowers in mid to late summer and purplish black berries provide extra interest. Brightest foliage color with some sun.

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Details

Sun King Aralia | Aralia cordata 'Sun King'

Height:  3 feet

Spread:  3 feet

Sunlight: full sun to full shade

Hardiness Zone:  3a

Other Names:  Golden Japanese Spikenard

Brand:  Gertens

Description:

Large golden compound leaves and a rounded, tidy habit makes this a wonderful woodland accent plant; white flower clusters are airy and visually pleasing; foliage is more yellow-gold in bright sun; deep purple-black berries are not edible

Ornamental Features

Sun King Aralia features airy racemes of white star-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from mid to late summer. Its large serrated pointy compound leaves emerge lemon yellow in spring, turning gold in color throughout the season. It produces deep purple berries from early to late fall.

Landscape Attributes

Sun King Aralia is an herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It is a good choice for attracting birds and bees to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Suckering

Sun King Aralia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Sun King Aralia will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

More Information

Bloom or Harvest Time August, September
Sun Preference Full-Sun, No-Sun
USDA Hardiness Zone 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Common Family Name Golden Aralia
Mature Spread (Range) 24" - 36"
Mature Height (Range) 25" - 36"

Product Questions (15)

Gertens carries annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, water plants, house plants, edibles, cacti/succulents, seasonal blooming holiday plants and a wide variety of bulbs and seeds!
Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season (spring – fall/frost). Perennials are plants that live for more than two growing seasons. They die back in winter and re-emerge in spring. ...
Hardiness is the capacity of a cultivated plant to withstand adverse conditions, usually its tolerance of low temperature. Plants are given a hardiness rating by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 11 zones based on the coldest or warmest temperature...
A short list of perennials that will attract butterflies includes Yarrow, Coneflowers, Blazing Star, Asters, Milkweed, Butterfly weed, Black-eyed Susan and Bee balm aka Monarda. These are all hardy to Minnesota. Check ...
A short list of perennials that do well in shade include Coral Bell, Astilbe, Aralia, Snakeroot, Hosta, Ferns, Bleeding Hearts and more. To view more perennials found at Gertens, click ...
Monarch butterflies are attracted to all types of native Milkweed. The female Monarch lays her eggs only on Milkweeds - plants in the Asclepias genus - where the caterpillars will hatch, feed and grow before forming a chrysalis. Adults also love Butterfly...
A perennial that is less hardy to your hardiness zone can be brought indoors for winter in a pot appropriate for its size. You don’t want the plant roots to dry out for long periods, but don’t let the soil be soggy. Water about once a month and watch...
Yes, an unheated garage should be just enough extra protection for zone 5 plants. Don’t let the plant dry out for long periods, water it about once a month. To find out what hardiness zone you are in, click ...
Yes, you can overwater plants. Especially in pots but also in the ground, however, planting in the ground allows for better water dispersion so the odds of overwatering are less. Low lying areas may be more prone to flooding. Areas with clay soil also...
A rough estimate for the last frost date here in zone 4b is the first week of May. This is not exact, as Minnesota weather can be variable, but it does help for plantings.
Hummingbirds drink nectar through their long tongue and prefer to drink out of long tubular flowers. A Mandevilla plant is a great example. ...
Generally, Japanese beetles are not going after the perennials. They like trees, roses, vines. Grape vines are one of their favorites, as are roses. But they have been seen on milkweed flowers, green bean leaves and more. Japanese...
Once you get the plant home, dig a hole in the ground twice as wide as the pot it’s in. Loosen the soil, and then pat root stimulator on the roots. Plant in the hole at the same...
Bees love any plant that they can get nectar from such as tubes or little flowers. Butterflies like a flat surface that they can get into. A short list for both bees and butterflies includes: Yarrow, Coneflowers, Blazing Star, Asters, Milkweed, Butterfly...
Use ant repellents.  Terro = Grease Ants Revenge = Garden Ants NOTE: Before bringing...
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