Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendron trichotomum) is a rambling 15-foot-tall rambling shrub which can be easily shaped into a multi-stemmed 10-to-20-foot small tree. Glorybower shines in the late summer and early fall landscape. Its sweetly scented, very showy flowers attract the attention of gardeners as well as hummingbirds and butterflies. (USDA hardiness zones 7-10).
Where I garden in Northeast Tennessee (USDA zones 6-b and 7), glorybower is at its northern cold hardiness limit. An occasional harsh winter will bring on lots of pruning repair. here, some winters do not treat glorybower kindly. Significant reconstruction may be needed. Moderate pruning in late winter repairs most ills with fast growing glorybower looking great by summer.
Sweetly fragrant, white flowers smother the plant from July through August. Flowers are arranged in wide 6 – 9-inch clusters, comprised of individual white 1½ inch blooms and are borne on current season’s wood. Next up, in mid-September, the metallic looking topaz-colored fruits with beet red calyxes provide quite a show. Flowers are initiated on current season wood.
Foliage texture is bold with broad 4- to 9-inch-long dark green leaves providing cooling shade to a nearby deck or patio. Its pale-yellow autumnal leaf color offers little interest. Glorybower is rated disease, insect, and deer resistant. Expect to observe a few hummingbirds fluttering around summer flowers.
Fertile seeds develop in Fall
Glorybower grows in a moist well-drained average soil and in full to partial (minimum 6- hours) sunlight. A 2-year old established tree is only moderately drought tolerance and requires irrigation during long dry spells.
On a recent trip to Portland, Oregon, glorybower serves as a yard and street tree. Interesting fact: leaves when crushed emit a peanut butter aroma. Native of Japan and China this under-planted tree is sold primarily by on-line specialty nurseries.
The beautiful colorful large flowers of Spider lilies (Lycoris spp.) pop up overnight in summer (July and August). In the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states, Spider lilies are popular passalong plants. They are known by a number of colloquial names such as “surprise lilies”, “resurrection lilies”, “hurricane lilies”, “Equinox Lily”, and “naked ladies”. They are members of the Amaryllis family. Bloom time coincides with the summer hurricane season, hence the name “hurricane lily”. (USDA hardiness zones 6-10).
Bloom time is relatively short, their unique flowers are beautiful and are outstanding addition to almost any garden. Floral colors range from red to white to yellow. Flowers last 5-7 days, and decline. Bloom clusters may last two weeks or longer if protected from wind and sun. In Southeastern states, almost 2-3 months later, strap-like green leaves emerge in fall. In northerly climes, leaves emerge early the following spring and grow into late June and disappear.
Spider lilies prefer rich, well-drained and slightly alkaline soils and prefer a part sun/part shaded site. Plant bulbs 12 inches apart with the pointed end up and their necks peeking slightly above the soil surface in fall or early spring. If bulbs are planted too deep, they may not flower.
Spider lilies perform best with summer watering, but may resent being flooded. Their leaves and roots are toxic, so deer and rodents pass them by, Flowers attract butterflies, some bees, and an occasional hummingbird. They are relatively resistant to diseases and pests.
Over the years, numbers of blooms may decline which may be a sign of overcrowding. Divide and separate bulbs every 3-5 years. Carefully dig bulb clumps in late spring after leaves begin to decline or wait until after the summer blooming period when they are dormant.
Red spider lily (L. radiata) produces 4-6 orange-red flowers on long stamens that curl upward, offering a spider-like floral appearance; grows best in partial shade and not in direct sunlight.
L. squamigera in a Johnson City TN Garden
PinkSurprise Lily (L. squamigera) blooms mid- to late-summer; leaves are broader and emerge in late winter and are gone by the time flowers emerge in summer.
Electric Blue Spider Lily (L. sprengeri)is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with. In fall and summer blue and pink flowers emerge. Grows well with sun and regular water. Prefers to be dry when dormant. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil.
Where To Buy: Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, NC maintains one of the largest collections of spider lilies in the world. Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, VA list them in their spring catalog; bulbs are dug and shipped in May and should be planted as soon as they’re delivered. Newly purchased spring bulbs may not bloom the first season.
Oakleaf hydrangea is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that is native in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Oakleaf hydrangea should be planted in a sheltered location and winter protection (e.g., mulch, burlap wrap) in northerly areas USDA Zone 5, particularly when not fully established. Oakleaf grows in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in sun to part shade. Shrub appreciates a 3–4-inch layer of organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and lessen weed pressure.
Fall foliage color is attractive—its leathery leaves turn purple, orange-bronze, or red. The peeling, exfoliating branches also provide winter color and texture. Shrub may lose significant numbers of flower buds or die to the ground in harsh winters (temperatures below -10°F), thus lessening or totally destroying all blooms the coming year. Attractive peeling cinnamon-color bark adds winter interest after the foliage has dropped.
Shrubs bloom occurs on old wood. Prune, if needed, immediately after flowering in June – July. Usually, little pruning is required other than to limit the shape (height/width) of oakleafs. Flower buds are formed in late summer into early autumn. Winter is NOT the time to prune oakleafs except to clean off dead or damaged stems.
Favorite varieties include ‘Ruby Slippers’, ‘Munchkin’, ‘Gatsby Girl’, and ‘Snowflake’. For a small postage stamp garden and in containers, plant Gatsby Gal® or ‘Sike’s Dwarf’, both dwarf @3-4 ft. tall (and wide) cultivars. Leaves and flower panicles are smaller, tough reliable growers that require very little annual pruning.
‘Sikes Dwarf’ oakleaf hydrangea
Prune to remove old (spent) flower clusters, particularly those that are no longer attractive. Clip off attractive floral trusses to add to decorative arrangements. The old, dried cones are included in the winter holiday wreaths and swags.
Oakleaf hydrangeas have no serious insect or disease issues. Some susceptibility to leaf blight and powdery mildew. Aphids and spider mites are occasional pests. Like all hydrangeas, oakleafs are toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. Unfortunately, they’re only slightly deer resistant.
For many years of floral beauty in your perennial garden, get off to a good start. Plant in an area in full or partial sun along with good air circulation to avoid mildew and leaf spot disease problems. Before planting, generously amend soil with compost and well-drained ground. Irrigate the first year to establish the landscape planting.
These U.S. native perennials should attract bees, butterflies and/or birds to your garden. All ten are hardy in at least USDA hardiness zones 5-8, and few are susceptible to serious insect or disease problems.
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is a clump-forming 2-4 feet tall, long-blooming (mid-summer to early fall perennial. Flowers come in several colors. ‘David’, ‘Jeana’, et al.
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) grows 4-5 feet tall with brilliant red blooms in summer. It will tolerate wet soil in full sun to part shade. It handles full sun in northern climates and appreciates partial afternoon shade in hot summer climates of the lower Midwest and South. Hummingbird magnet!
Cardinal flower
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) grows 3-5 feet tall and 12-24 inches apart in well-drained soil. Anise hyssop may self-seed freely. The foliage emits an anise or licorice scent and can be used for flavoring in salads and teas. top cvs. ‘Blue Forune’; ‘Black Adder’, et al.
Bergamot, beebalm (Monarda fistulosum) is a summer flowering clump-forming member of the mint family member that grows typically to 2-4 feet tall with pink to lavender flowers depending on variety. also a honey plant and medicinal plant.
Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) produce white to creamy white daisy flowers 1-4 feet tall depending on cultivar in various degrees of doubleness and size. ‘Becky’; ‘Whoops-a-Daisy’; et al.
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – one of our finest native perennials. So many varieties to select from including ‘PowWow Wild Berry’; ‘Sombrero series, ‘Cheyenne Spirit’.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – ‘All-American Goldrush’ thrives in full to partial sun; grows 22-26 inches high and 40-44 inches wide and highly disease resistant; also try ‘Goldstrum’ and ‘Little Goldstar’.
Blazing Star or Gayfeather (Liatris spicata) hasgrass-like foliage and grows 2-4 feet tall with spiky blooms that attract butterflies, birds and bees. ‘Kobold’ (bright purple flowers); ‘Florestan White’ (white flowers).
Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’
Joe Pye (Eutrochium dubium) is a coarse, herbaceous perennial that typically grows to 3-5’ tall and to 2-4’ wide on purple-spotted stems clad with ovate, coarsely-toothed, strongly three-veined leaves (to 6” long) arranged in whorls of 3-4. This wetland species enjoys moist soils. ‘Little Joe’ (3-4 feet high x 1-3 feet wide) and ‘Baby Joe’ (2-3 feet high x 1-2 feet wide). (z 3-9)
Golden Aralia (Aralia cordata‘Sun King’) – this tropical-looking golden beauty with large compound leaves that measure up to 3 feet long. ‘Sun King’ emerges mid-spring with bright gold leaves attached to reddish brown stems. ‘Sun King’ thrives in 2-3 hours of early morning sun to enhance its bright golden yellow foliage all summer; under heavy shade, expect chartreuse to lime green foliage. (z3-9)
Consider planting a colorful array of low shrubs, perennials, annuals, ground covers and spring bulbs with hostas. Additions must prefer partial sun to shade and moderate moist soil. Choose varieties with brightly colored foliage, structure, size, texture and color for contrast. Avoid aggressive vegetative companions.
Hosta companions can include anemone, assorted ferns, astilbe, lenten roses (Helleborus), false Solomon seas (Polygonatum), toadlilies (Tricyrtis), bellworts (Uvularia), violets (Viola), and sedges (Carex). Most perennials and hostas all thrive in cool, shady, moist environs. (USDA hardiness zones 4-9).
Barronwort (Epimedium) – delicate four-petaled flowers emerge in early spring, followed by small heart- or lance-shaped leaves. Patterned or tinted foliage remains evergreen in milder climates. Mass as a ground cover in challenging deep shade sites as an understory plant alongside hostas.
Variegated Solomon seal (Polygonatumodoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’) grows 1-3 feet tall with leaves painted with white edges. The white flowers have a sweet fragrance reminiscent of lilies. P. humile is a dwarf form, 6-9 inches tall and has relatively large flowers for its size.
Bugleweed (Ajugareptans) – low groundcover that forms a beautiful vegetative carpet between your hostas. Its purple-blue blooms stand outabove the foliage, Select cultivars ‘Chocolate Chip’, ‘Burgundy Glow’, ‘Black Scallop’, among others.
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Cranesbill (Geraniumspp.) – wide variety of flowering ground covers, mostl blooming in spring into early summer. Among the best: G. x cantabrigiense ‘Biokova’, Bigroot cranesbills (G. macrorrhizum), ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (G. x pratense)
Hakone Grass, Japanese forest grass (Hakonenchloa macra) – thrives in partial to near full shade with gold (‘All Gold’) and gold striped (‘Aureola’) foliage among other variegated forms; graceful arching habit and fine texture contrasts beautifully with the bold foliage and mounding shape of hostas.
Ferns (three popular shade ferns) Japanese painted fern (Athryium pictum ‘Nippon’), Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) are excellent choices planted alongside shade loving hosta varieties.
Christmas fern
Siberian bugloss or brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) – a shade loving clump-growing perennial ground cover with spring blue forget-me-not like flowers; wonderful, variegated shade foliage that excels in zones 5-7 and hates summer heat and drought. ‘Jack Frost’, Jack of Diamonds’, many others. (zones 3-8)
Foamflower (Tiarella cordata) – an excellent ground cover in heavy shaded areas; its airy white flowers attract early pollinators. Top performing varieties are ‘Spring Symphony’ and ‘Brandywine’, among others.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria) – bell-shaped flowers occur in early to mid-spring in shades of blue, pink, red or white. The lance-shaped deciduous foliage can be green, silver, white or spotted
Pigsqueak (Bergenia crassifolia) – a lovely 2-3 feet ground cover in shady areas; slow-growing and moderately drought tolerant; evergreen in temperate parts of U.S.
Spotted Deadnettle (Lamiummaculatum)- a hardy perennial ground cover with green, gold or variegated heart-shaped foliage and tubular flowers in colors of white, pink or lavender.
‘Sun King’ Golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’), aka Japanese spikenard – a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial grows rapidly to 3-5 feet tall and wide and golden compound foliage. Small clusters of tiny white raceme flowers shoot up 2 feet tall in summer and lustrous purplish-black berries follow.
More favorites? Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis), Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos (Dicentra) spectabilis), Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.), Daffodils (Narcissus spp.), Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), and Assorted Ferns.Also plant pansies in the fall.
Summerific® is a trademarked series of Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) from Walters Gardens Inc. in Zeeland, Michigan. It is a native perennial hibiscus that emerges from the soil in late spring and grows rapidly. Both their huge flowers and foliage are natural focal points in the summer garden. This long-lived perennial can be utilized as a low floriferous landscape hedge or as a thriller in containers. Their showy flowers attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees. (USDA hardiness zones 4-9).
Summerific® ‘All Eyes On Me’ (Photo by Walters Gardens)
Plants prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil. At least 5 hours of direct sunlight is ideal. Like other dark-leaved cultivars, full sun is necessary to bring out the deepest tints of foliage color. Hibiscus shrubs are not picky about the soil quality as long as excess water is allowed to drain away. Of key importance is to irrigate deeply during seasonal dry spells. Plant grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Fertilize perennial hibiscus with a slow-release fertilizer after the first round of flowers fade, and a second feeding in mid-summer. You can also opt to feed plants using a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks until late August.
Plant perennial hibiscus in the garden before the heat of summer arrives; heavily mulched plants the first winter. In spring, cut back any remaining stems before new growth appears. Do not trim back stems in fall. Cut plants back near the ground with a lopper pruner or a saw in early spring.
Perennial hibiscus is one of the last perennials to emerge in spring, but its vigorous growth rate more than makes up for its late start. Be aware that Japanese beetles find these plants especially delicious for a short time in late spring and should be treated accordingly. Perennial hibiscus are also deer resistant.
Remove spent flowers to keep plant(s) tidy; deadheading blooms does not enhance re-blooming. In areas with cold winter temperatures, spread a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of hibiscus plants in the fall.
Three New Selections
Summerific® All Eyes on Me produces blush pink flowers that measure a staggering 8-inches wide with crepe paper petals and with a dark magenta eye; well-rounded shrub with dark green leaves. Plant Height: 3.5 feet tall and wide.
Summerific® ‘Holy Grail’ hibiscus (photo by Walters Gardens)
Summerific® Holy Grail has very dark, near black foliage that coordinates beautifully with the very large, 8-9-inch-wide deep red flowers. Plant Height: 4 to 5 feet tall (4.5 – 5.0 feet wide).
Summerific® Cookies and Cream is a night and day combination of matte black foliage and pure white flowers. Plant Height: 2.5 to 3 feet tall (3.5 to 4 feet wide). It grows exceptionally compact with sturdy stems. White, slightly cupped, 6-7-inch-wide flowers are borne from top to bottom of stems; cultivar blooms earlier and longer compared to standard varieties.
Summerific® ‘Cookies and Cream’ Hibiscus (Photo by Walters Gardens)
Summerific® Hibiscus Promotion is scheduled the first week of August each year.
Over the hot spring and summer months, weedy Mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) stand beautiful along U.S roadsides. During the rest of the year, people pay very little attention to this arboreal Asian beauty that inhabit a vast area from Iran to China (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). YES, this tree can be invasive. Read on.
Albizia julibrissin – flowers and foliage
From late spring through summer, mimosa struts an attractive fine textured green foliage and lovely flowering. It leaves out as late as mid-May in its northern range. Wild seedlings produce pale pink to dark pink feathery blooms from late June thru July. The showy fragrant flowers attract numerous bees and hummingbirds. Fall leaf color is insignificant.
Mimosa grows 20-25 feet tall of equal and broader widths. Under cultivation, it may achieve 35-40 feet high. It is at its best in full sun and in any adequately drained soil. It copes with subpar sites and often overpowering an abandoned urban lot or a roadside fencerow. Two most popular cultivars are:
‘Summer Chocolate’ exhibits fern-like dark purple foliage. Leaves start off green and turn fern-like dark purple. Cultivar grows 20 feet tall and wide, about half the size of the wild green seedling tree. (USDA zones 6-10).
Chocolate Fountain™ is a recently released weeping purple leaf cultivar from Dr. Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University. Deep purple, fern-like foliage graces the pendulous, weeping habit, enhanced by delicate pink flowers in summer. It grows 15-20 feet high/ 15 feet wide; cultivar is an ornate option planted in a patio container. (zones 6-10).
‘Summer Chocolate’ at Dallas Arboretum (late summer)
Mimosa tree tends to be short-lived, around 15- 20 years. Trees tend to colonize, depositing loads of seeds that beget lots of seedlings that take flight from miles away. Mimosa tree tends to improve soil tilth and nutrition.
Late winter thru early summer (February-July) is the ideal planting time. Prune out unwanted and dead branches in any season. Over the first two years, water deeply during extreme heat and dry spells. Fertilizing a mimosa tree is unnecessary as roots manufacture its own nitrogen.
Let me emphasize that bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to mimosa’s flowers. The fruits are flattened legumes and contain 5 to 16 seeds. Feathery flowers appear in June and seed pods typically mature in August or September. Seeds are widely dispersed by wind, water, or animals. The seeds contain a neurotoxin that, when ingested, can be toxic to livestock and dogs.
Low creeping sedums (stonecrops) are super nice groundcover plants. Consider planting stonecrops in border fronts, on moderate slopes, containers and rock gardens. Plant in the partial to full sun, although many species grow well in light shade. The site should have good soil drainage. Sedums are also planted on “green roof” and “green wall” systems. I utilize groundcover sedums as niche plants and fill containers in sunny spots that need a splash of color.
Butterflies and bees come to visit their flowers in summer. These non-patented sedums are easy to propagate by cuttings in summer or dividing in spring or fall. Watch for slugs, scale, mealybugs, and aphids and spray accordingly. Rotting out of roots is possible in wet and/or poorly drained sites. Deer and rabbits generally snub sedums. In spring pinch back plants to force plants to grow thicker and bushier.
Sedum Collection planted in old wheelbarrow
These 6 sedum species are both dependable and ask for little maintenance… just a little hand weeding and liquid feeding with Miracle-Gro™ every 4-6 weeks. Some grow aggressively while others slow and steady.
‘Bertram Anderson’ – this slow-growing, ground-hugging sedum (4-6 inches high x 12-18 inches wide) forms a low carpet of small, burgundy-black leaves, spreading to form a small patch. Clusters of purple-red star flowers appear in late summer. It is well suited to the rock garden, or for edging, also a good choice for tubs and mixed containers. Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit in 1996. (Zones 3-9).
Russian stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum variegatum) forms a low mound of attractive green and cream-splashed leaves. Clusters of orange-yellow star flowers appear in summer. Deciduous; trim stems and dead flower heads back in early spring. A white-edged variegated form is steadfast and rarely reverts to green edged. Foliage colors are more intense and flowering more prolific in sunny areas. (Zones 3-9).
Sedum kamtschaticum in flower
Angelina sedum(Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) is loved for striking spiky yellow leaves that turn an attractive red-orange color when the cool weather arrives in the fall. This 4-inch-tall mat-forming sedum spreads rapidly. Fallen leaves tend to propagate freely. (Zones 5-8).
‘Angelina’ sedum in April
Sedum ‘Vera Jameson’ is a clump-forming 9-12-inch-tall sedum that features masses of tiny, star-like, dusky pink flowers in large, 4-inch across, flattened heads (cymes) and round purplish leaves growing in somewhat sprawling clumps. Stems and leaves start out bluish-green, and turn a rich, deep reddish-purple. (Zones 3-9).
Caucasian Stonecrop (Phedimus spurius ‘Dragon’s Blood’) is a highly popular sedum with deep purple (burgundy) foliage that turns entirely red by fall. Its pinkish-purple flowers bloom from midsummer into autumn. In spring plants arise from dormancy with green leaves and red flowers to follow. This 4-6 inch tall sedum spreads to 24 inches in a few years. (Zones 3-9).
John Creech Caucasian Stonecrop (Phedimus spurius ‘John Creech’) has medium green edged with reddish-tinged margins. Lower stem leaves are deciduous, and newer leaves near the stem tips are evergreen, typically turning deep burgundy in fall for overwintering. Leaves are arranged in two rows along the stems.
Phedimus spurium ‘John Creech’ in bloom
Fill container with a well-draining substrate such as a mix of 3parts gardening soil, 3 parts coarse sand, and 1 part perlite. lastly, add a very thin layer of vermiculite or sphagnum peat moss to improve soil water holding capacity. Containers also should have multiple bottom holes for adequate drainage. Irrigation pots and garden collection beds during prolonged dry period lasting 10 days or more. After flowering trim off spent blooms; some sedums will repeat bloom if kept deadheaded.
Celebrate this 4th of July with three giant flowering perennials: Giant coneflower, Joe Pye weed and Queen Of The Prairie Filpendula.
Giant / Large coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima) is an herbaceous perennial that is grows in average, moist, well-drained soils in mostly full-day sun (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Also called “Dumbo’s Ears”, it tolerates light shade, heat, some drought, and a wide range of soils. It can be grown from seed, but under ideal growing conditions, it will self-seed. It also propagates itself through rhizomes. Plant it in along a border, in a cutting, pollinator, or cottage garden or in a meadow or naturalized area.
Giant coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima)
Tall flower stalks rise to 5-7 feet (3-4 feet wide), bearing bright yellow-rayed 3-inch-wide flowers with drooping ray petals and each with a 2 to 6-inch dark brown central cone. Flowers attract butterflies. After blooms go to seed, do not cutoff the flowers stalks. Instead, allow goldfinches and other small birds to feed on the seedheads. According to the NC Extension, large coneflower serves as a food source for the larvae of the Wavy-lined Emerald butterfly.
Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium dubium) is a tall and wide native perennial that blooms in gardens where space is not an issue. (USDA hardiness zones 3-10). Joe Pye wild seedlings grow 8-10 feet, especially if soil moisture is plentiful. Floral heads age from purple, pink, and red petals. Blooms are pollinator magnets and are an important nectar source for Monarchs and other butterflies.
Eutrochium maculatum ‘Gateway’
Joe Pye is a tough-as-nails perennial that will quickly spring up in late spring garden. In late summer, this tall perennial flower produces waves of nectar-rich pink blossoms that butterflies and other pollinators love. Horticultural varieties grow more compact such as E. maculatum ‘Gateway’, E. dubium ‘Little Joe’, and E. dubium ‘Baby Joe’.
Queen Of The Prairie at Kingwood Center, Mansfield, Ohio
Queen Of The Prairie (Filipendula rubra) is a U.S. native perennial that is valued for both its bold foliage and mid-summer flowers. It prefers calcareous soils in several swampy meadows. It is a very tall, typically grows 6-8 feet high with upright, clump-forming branches. Terminal, astilbe-like, 6-9 inches wide panicles of tiny, fragrant, pale pink flowers are a glorious sight in early to mid-summer meadow garden. Deeply cut, compound-pinnate, bright green leaves have 7-9 lance-shaped leaflets, each with an unusually large, 7-9 lobed, terminal leaflet (4-8″ long). Leaves are fragrant.
Maintenanceof these giants: All 3 appreciate part shade in hot southerly climes. Foliage may scorch in full sun if soils are allowed to dry out. Propagate by dividing clumps in spring. Freely self-seeds and can form large colonies in optimum growing conditions. Usually, foliage declines and cut back hard to promote new growth and avoid seedlings in next season’s garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fairly trouble-free perennials including moderately deer resistant. Snails and slugs can injure young plants. Powdery mildew may be troublesome for a short time, but healthy plants usually recover.
Plants with golden foliage can brighten up almost any drab garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) is no exception, hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. It is also known as Japanese spikenard and mountain asparagus. Under ideal conditions this thornless, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial grows rapidly to 3-5 feet tall and as wide in a single season.
The golden compound foliage emerges in mid-spring and retains its bright color throughout the summer. Growth rate is rapid and dies back to the ground in late autumn. In mid-summer numerous small clusters of tiny white flowers shoot up, borne on 2 feet tall racemes. Lustrous purplish-black berries follow in the fall.
Sun King makes a bold almost tropical statement in a semi-shade garden. Grow it in a compost-rich moist soil and in ½-day sunlight (morning hours preferred). The foliage will retain the golden color if given at least 2-3 hours of sun each day. More shade will result in lime-green or chartreuse foliage; 4 or more hours will likely burn the foliage. In Southern USDA zones 8 and 9, grow only in dappled sunlight to avoid leaf burn. Golden aralia should be mulched and watered over dry spells lasting 10 or more days.
Sun King aralia mixes well in large containers planted with green and other brightly colored foliage plants. It combines with the following perennials: coral bells (Heuchera spp.), and astilbes. Golden aralia is deer resistant. Tiny white flowers in early summer attract numerous honeybees. After a few years plant may colonize from its own germinated seedlings.
No pruning is necessary as golden aralia usually dies back to the ground in cold winter. Dead stems and plant debris can be removed once new spring growth emerges.
No serious insect or disease problems trouble this reliable perennial. Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, slugs and snails are occasional pests. Leaf spots may be a problem under overhead irrigation.
‘Sun King’ golden aralia was selected the 2020 Perennial Plant of The Year by the Perennial Plant Association. It is an excellent complement to hostas and woodland perennials.
‘Sun King’ golden aralia is not easily found in garden center commerce. However, several online nursery companies do list it
