Species Japanese spikenard
yellow-lime leaves with brown stems

Japanese spikenard

Aralia cordata 'Sun King'

Japanese spikenard (Aralia cordata 'Sun King') is an amazing and unique plant species. It is native to Japan and has foliage with yellow to orange hues. It has a texture similar to ferns, with leaflets that have serrated edges. It's name comes from the sharp, spiky appearance of the leaves. The bright yellow flowers are produced in clusters and bloom from late spring to early summer. Japanese spikenard is highly decorative, and the bold colors make it stand out in any garden. It is also known for its adaptation to various soil types, making it an easy-to-grow plant. It is a great choice for atmospheric and colorful landscaping schemes, and it makes a great addition to most gardens.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

gold,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Japanese spikenard (Aralia cordata 'Sun King') prefers to be watered deeply, about once a week, or when the soil begins to feel dry to the touch. When watering, make sure to thoroughly soak the soil to a depth of 8-12 inches. Avoid over watering, as this can cause root rot and other issues. During periods of extreme heat, you should water Japanese spikenard (Aralia cordata 'Sun King') more frequently. Check the soil every couple days and if it feels dry, water until the soil is damp but not soggy.

sunlight

Japanese spikenard (Aralia cordata 'Sun King') requires partial to full sunlight for optimum growth and health. It prefers to be grown in locations that receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight during the day, with additional protection from wind and direct afternoon sun. When grown in full sunlight, they should be watered more often to avoid drying out. Additionally, the soil should be kept consistently moist.

pruning

Japanese spikenard (Aralia cordata 'Sun King') should be pruned after bloom, typically during late summer. To keep the shrub manageable, prune shoots that spoil the shape of the shrub (those that are too tall, too wide, or crossing over) to the desired size. Remove dead, diseased, or damaged wood throughout the season. Prune back the long sucker shoots that emerge from the roots to keep the shrub from spreading too much. With proper pruning, Japanese spikenard can be kept to a height of around 4 feet (1.2 m). Remove stems that have bloomed and any suckers that emerge from the roots.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Japanese spikenard typically starts flowering in May.

Hardiness Map