‘Sun King’ Aralia

Common Name: Aralia cordata

Looking for something uniquely different for shade?  Try this tropical-looking golden beauty with large compound leaves that measure up to 3 feet long! 

An excellent complement to hostas and woodland perennials, ‘Sun King’ emerges mid-spring with bright gold leaves held on nicely contrasting reddish brown stems.  If given at least a few hours of sun a day, the foliage will remain yellow all summer.  In heavier shade, the foliage ranges from chartreuse to lime green. 

This plant quickly forms a large clump of foliage which amazingly resists deer browsing.  It reportedly grows just three feet tall and wide, though many plantsmen believe it will grow larger over time.