This golden plant achieves shrublike status with beautiful golden leaves and exceptional hardiness
I ’m a huge fan of ‘ Sun King ’ aralia ( Aralia cordata‘Sun King ’ , Zones 3–8 ) and was n’t surprised when it was selected as the 2020 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association ( PPA ) . I plant my first specimen back in 2011 , and it continues to flourish and offer a gorgeous golden chromaticity in a partially shaded position . This species is aboriginal to Japan , Korea , and east central and southern China . The ‘ Sun King ’ variety was institute by famous plant hunter and plantsman Barry Yinger and carry on to show hardiness well into Zone 3 . The ultimate ripe size of it of ‘ Sun King ’ is still in doubt , but I ’ve now discover it over 6 feet tall in the Midwest and reckon it can get even bigger . This herbaceous perennial achieves bush - size height in one time of year and is an amazing mainstay industrial plant , offer a golden , semitropical feeling to gardens .
Ideal conditions
Plant ‘ Sun King ’ aralia in fertile , dampish grime that is well run out . This plant will not be robust in areas with meaning root competition , so find a nice spot for the plant to get established , and commemorate that moisture is essential for success . Provided with dappled sun , the sheer , chemical compound leafage will extend to be bright gold over the summertime . The most vivid colouration is in early spring and in fall . In deeper tint , the plant looks chartreuse , which is still attractive . specimen in full sun may get a bit launder out , with milklike leave of absence , and are prostrate to leaf burn by late summer without adequate pee . Some amount of shading will maintain folio unity and vigor over the total develop time of year .
Exceptional features
‘ Sun King ’ aralia has pretty cherry stems and racemes of tiny white flowers that flower from midsummer to early fall and appeal bees . The legion flush umbels have an interesting spherical contour on panicle above the foliation . youthful specimen typically wo n’t flower for a duo of years . After the flowers wind up flower , they become modest clustering of dark maroon berries that are consumed by Bronx cheer . This plant is also view deer resistant , and I ’ve seldom see any insect or disease problems .
Delicious roots and shoots
Called “ udo ” in Japan , this species has long been cultivate for its eatable unseasoned shoots . look at a culinary delicacy , these shoots have a taste that is said to compare to lemony edible asparagus . In fact , in culinary circle this industrial plant is also referred to as “ mountain asparagus . ” The blanched , fleshy rootage can also be corrode and should used like parsnips . avert corrode the berry , as they are not edible to humanity . However , I would recommend doing some extra research if you ’d care to eat this plant .
‘ Sun King ’ aralia has a wide range of domestic adaptability in our gardens . It has awing geomorphologic note value and provide prolonged , colored foliage on a well sized plant . I conceive this perennial will have a lasting spot as a staple for its durability and visual effect .
— Mark Dwyer , former conductor of horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville , Wisconsin , operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD .
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‘Sun King’ aralia provides excellent contrast with foliage of practically every color.Photo: Mark Dwyer
‘Sun King’ looks more golden the more sun it gets and greener the more shade it gets. But avoid full sun, which can wash out and burn leaves.Photos: Mark Dwyer
New, young leaves are said to taste like lemons and asparagus.Photo: Mark Dwyer
