Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Fatsia japonica 'Murakumo Nishiki'
Murakumo Nishiki Japanese Aralia
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Height
- 6 to 10 feet
- Width
- 4 to 6 feet
- Flower color
- Small, creamy white flowers in rounded clusters
- Foliage color
- Large, deeply lobed, glossy green leaves variegated with creamy white and pale yellow patterns
- Bloom time
- Fall
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; occasional pruning to maintain shape
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 7 to 10
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract bees and other pollinators; berries attract birds
About this plant
Fatsia japonica 'Murakumo Nishiki' is a unique cultivar featuring broad, glossy, lobed leaves with eye-catching cream and green variegation. This evergreen shrub brings year-round interest to gardens with its bold foliage that provides a tropical look. The variegation pattern adds a dynamic and artistic element to its appearance, making it an excellent choice for shaded or partially shaded areas.
In late autumn to early winter, 'Murakumo Nishiki' produces clusters of small, creamy-white flowers in spherical umbels, followed by dark berries. Native to Japan, this variety exemplifies the horticultural tradition of selecting plants with aesthetic and ornamental appeal, blending functionality with artistry in the landscape.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Under Trees · Specimen Plants
Companion plants
Aucuba · Hellebore · Brunnera · Japanese maple · Lungwort · Autumn fern
Design tip
Cream and pale-yellow markings break across the oversized leaves in irregular patterns, giving ‘Murakumo Nishiki’ a hand-painted quality. Position it where the foliage can catch filtered light, which emphasizes the variegation and turns the shrub into a luminous focal point in darker areas of the garden.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
