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Key characteristics

Family: Araliaceae
Height: 3-4 feet tall
Width: 3-4 feet wide
Flower color: Small, white flowers in clusters
Foliage color: Bright yellow to chartreuse leaves, with deeper green in more shade
Bloom time: Late summer
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low; prune for shape
Growing zone: USDA Zones 3-9
Wildlife: Attracts bees and other pollinators

Perennials

Aralia cordata 'Sun King'

Japanese Spikenard

Aralia cordata 'Sun King' is a standout for its brilliant golden foliage, which provides a vibrant contrast in shaded or woodland gardens. Its large, compound leaves emerge in early spring and maintain their intense yellow hue throughout the season, lending brightness to dimmer areas. In late summer, small clusters of white flowers bloom, adding delicate accents that attract pollinators. These blossoms are followed by purple-black berries, which provide additional interest as they mature.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Medium

Bloom time

Late summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Japanese forest grass · Astilbes · Heucheras · Siberian bugloss · Sweet woodruff · Foamflowers

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Cooler light suits it, so tuck it on the north side of a shrub or wall where the soil stays even.