Aralia - Search results

Botanical names: Eleutherococcus sieboldianus, Acanthopanax sieboldianus

Common name: Five-fingered Aralia

Family: Araliaceae

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Elegant, upright growing deciduous shrub with arching stems. Excellent foliage for shade gardens, shrub borders, perennial border backgrounds or foundations.

Botanical name: Fatsia japonica

Common names: Paperplant, Japanese Aralia

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: Japan and South Korea

Fatsia japonica produces large, dark green, deeply lobed leaves. From fall through winter umbels of small whitish flowers grow are seen which are then followed by clusters of small round black fruit. Often grown as a foliage houseplant for cool positions, this is also a very successful shade-tolerant garden plant. It is best grown in the open in seaside gardens, or against warm walls and in sheltered corners inland - hard frost can injure the leaves, but plants recover if the roots are safe from freezing. The handsome bushes tend to be wider than they are tall, with very large leaves which create a sub-tropical effect. Plant in spring to allow time to establish before the frosts. Remove berries to increase leaf size, and water and feed regularly.

Bright light - avoid direct sunshine. Water freely from spring to autumn - sparingly in Winter. Use tepid water. Mist leaves frequently, especially in hot weather.

Botanical names: Plerandra elegantissima, Schefflera elegantissima, Aralia elegantissima, Dizygotheca elegantissima

Common names: False Aralia, Finger Aralia, Threadleaf

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: New Hebrides

Has a graceful airy appearance with long finger-like leaves which have serrated edges and dark- metallic coloring. When it grows, the leaves get bigger and lose their delicate aspect. It is can still be a beautiful bush in a sheltered corner of the garden. False aralia likes warmer temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees and above. The plant can drop some of its lower leaves if the temperature falls below the 60 degree mark. Place the plant in bright filtered light near a sunny window and/or under artificial light with a minimum of 150 footcandles. When watering this plant, as with many indoor plants, water thoroughly, and then allow approximately one-half of the soil to dry out. Propagation: Air layering, seeds that must be fresh.

Botanical name: Polyscias fruticosa

Common name: Ming Aralia

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: India

Ming aralia is one of the most popular of the polyscias with its upright-spreading growth habit and fine-textured, pinnately-divided leaves. Polyscias fruticosa Elegans (Parsley Aralia) is an excellent dwarf cultivar with leaves that resemble some of the finely-divided strains of parsley. It produces an abundance of side shoots and compactly-arranged, small leaves that make it a good choice for small pots in the 4" to 8" diameter range. Cream flowers are small and inconspicuous, but are borne on 6" to 7" panicles at the stem tips. The Ming Aralia can be propagated using stem cuttings, root cuttings, suckers, and air layering. The top of the root should be level with the surface. Some cultivars produce an abundance of suckers that can be removed when their root system is developed.

Botanical names: Polyscias guilfoylei, Polyscias guilfoylei var. laciniata

Common names: Guilfoyle Polyscias, Geranium Leaf Aralia, Wild Coffee, Black Aralia

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: Polynesia

Polyscias guilfoylei is a large, highly ornamental shrub that is native to the Polynesia. It typically grows up to 5-10 feet tall with erect branches in the wild, but is usually grown as a container specimen and used in interior design when cultivated. The leaves of this plant are typically variegated with margins of white or pale yellow, although they can also be entirely dark green. It is a slow-growing tropical foliage plant that makes a perfect houseplant requiring very little care.

Bright indirect light and regular watering are necessary for optimal growth, and fertilization and pruning should be done in the spring.

During summer, the plant should be watered moderately and regularly, while in winter, the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Fertilization with a balanced liquid fertilizer should be done occasionally during the growing season. Light pruning during the spring can help achieve the desired shape. While all Polyscias plants can tolerate shade, they prefer a warm and sunny location.

Botanical names: Polyscias scutellaria, Polyscias balfouriana, Polyscias pinnata

Common names: Shield Aralia, Dinner Plate Aralia

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: Africa to the Pacific Islands

Polyscias scutellaria, otherwise known as the Shield Aralia, is a beautiful and ornamental tropical tree native to regions of Africa and the Pacific Islands. Its foliage can range in colors from a bright green, to a slight variegation of green and yellow. This tree can grow up to 10-20 feet in height and is suitable for being grown as a bonsai.

When it comes to its ideal environment, Polyscias scutellaria prefers full sun and can even tolerate semi-shade. However, strong afternoon sunlight should be avoided as this can cause leaf burn. It should be watered regularly to ensure even moisture levels, though be careful not to overwater as this can lead to root rot. An easy draining soil which is nutrient-rich with a slightly acidic pH is optimal for growth in USDA Zones 9-11, however, if grown in cooler climates such as zone 8, it is important to move the plant to a more protected location, especially during winter and provide it with a specialized care. If planted in a pot, it is important to use a pot with a wide mouth and shallow depth; this will help the roots spread more easily.

The caudex, or swollen stem base, found on Polyscias scutellaria is an organ high in nitrogen which helps the plant to survive during periods of drought. This caudex should be regularly trimmed and monitored for insect infestations. Additionally, it is also important to pinch back the leaf nodes to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.

When given proper care, Polyscias scutellaria can give your garden a splash of its vibrant colors, and make an attractive feature piece. It thrives in warmer climates, but its hardy and resilient qualities allow it to survive the changing seasons. Just be sure to protect it from cold drafts and cold water, as this can cause leaf drop.

Botanical name: Polyscias sp.

Common names: Panax, Aralia

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: Tropical Asia, Australia, Pacific

All Polyscias prefer a warm sunny location. Cold drafts, cold water or cool room temperatures will cause leaf drop.

Botanical name: Trevesia palmata

Common names: Snowflake Tree, Snowflake Aralia

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: Tropical Asia

The plant reaches in nature a size of up to 15 feet meters and prefers the shaded environment of a mountain rainforest. This tree has a very ornamental foliage. Leaves are evergreen and have a shiny upper side. They are up to 20 inches wide, and are deeply lobed. They look like stylized snowflakes, hence the common name.

This plant has tiny scented flowers, which are grouped in globose inflorescences.

Planted in pots and kept indoors this species makes a great room design and does not need much sunlight. It is a hardy indoor plant that can tolerate a very wide range of home environments from full sunshine to dark corners. This plant prefers a drained and fairly moist ground.

Botanical name: Aralia chinensis

Common name: Chinese Angelica Tree

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: China

Aralia chinensis is a small tree, native to China, with an upright form and a rounded crown. It grows from 10-20 ft and has ornamental foliage, making it a great specimen garden shrub. This plant thrives in semi-shade and should be watered regularly with moderate water. The root and stems of this plant have ethnomedical uses. In some parts of the world, it is used as a remedy for diabetes.

The plant produces white or off-white flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making it ideal for gardeners that want to bring pollinators to the property. Aralia chinensis can be grown in USDA Zones 9-11. In cold regions, these plants can be grown in pots that are brought indoors for the winter months. Containers should be deep since the plant has a long taproot. The soil should be well-drained and amended with organic matter. Watering should be done every 1-2 weeks, with a little more in the summer months. Fertilizing should also be done during the summer months, with a slow-release fertilizer. This plant should be pruned in the early spring, before new growth appears.

Botanical name: Aralia cordata

Common name: Japanese Spikenard

Family: Araliaceae

Origin: China, Korea, Japan

Aralia cordata, better known as Japanese Spikenard, is a large evergreen shrub native to China, Japan and Korea. Growing up to 5-10 ft tall and 2-5 ft wide, this deciduous, perennial shrub does well in semi-shade environments and prefers regular watering. As a bonus, this plant also produces edible black drupes that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It can be grown in USDA Zones 5-10, with moderate to high water requirements.

The black drupes produced by Aralia cordata are not only edible but they are also packed with vitamins, minerals and other beneficial components that benefit human health. Remarkably, this plant is capable of producing hundreds of drupes each year, providing a great source of nourishment to those who consume them. The drupes are typically eaten raw and have a crunchy texture, but they can also be used in cakes, pies and jams.

When growing the Aralia cordata in the Northern regions, it's best to grow it in a container to prevent it from freezing during the cold winter months. It should be placed in an area that receives partial sun exposure, and watered well during the summer months. In the winter, the frequency of watering should be reduced, but not completely stopped. When caring for this plant, it's important to not overwater it as it will not tolerate standing water.