Aralia californica

RHS Plant Profile
elk clover

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elk clover visionspictures.com
elk clover visionspictures.com
elk clover RHS
elk clover RHS
elk clover RHS

Other common names

spikenard, Western aralia, Western spikenard

Shrubs
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A large, deciduous perennial with spiny stems and massive bi-pinnate leaves. Large loose clusters of greeny-white flowers in autumn, become dark-red, purple-black berries in winter.

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Araliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Aralia can be deciduous trees, shrubs or perennials, with large, simple or pinnately compound leaves and tiny greenish-white flowers in large terminal clusters, followed by small black fruits
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any good moisture-retentive soil. Allow enough space for impressive leaves to display. For more information see shrub cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, or seed. For more advice see our information on how to propagate from seed (tree/shrub

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Sub-tropical

Pruning

Tidy up in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility