All Seasons Plant Finder

Other Names:  Variegated Fatsia

Description:

This stunning plant has huge palmate dark green leaves presenting a mix of yellow, lime, and dark green; perfect for creating a tropical look in the garden; flowering usually occurs in late fall, followed by fleshy black fruit

Ornamental Features

Variegated Japanese Aralia features showy clusters of white pincushion flowers rising above the foliage from mid to late fall. It has attractive buttery yellow-variegated dark green foliage with hints of bluish-green which emerges lime green in spring. The large glossy lobed palmate leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Variegated Japanese Aralia is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering

Variegated Japanese Aralia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Variegated Japanese Aralia will grow to be about 7 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in partial shade to full shade. Keep it well away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. 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.