Aralia cordata Thunb.

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese spikenard

RHS

Other common names

udo

Synonyms

Aralia edulis
Aralia nudicaulis Blume
Aralia taiwaniana

Herbaceous Perennial

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A spreading, suckering perennial, up to 2.5m tall and wide, with large, pinnate leaves that emerge golden-green in spring, maturing to bright green in summer. Small white flowers are borne in large umbels, up to 45cm across, in late summer and are followed by inedible purple fruits

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Araliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Suckering
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
Plant Range: China Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a moist, neutral to acidic soil in partial shade but will tolerate full shade, or full sun if kept watered

Propagation

Propagates readily from suckers or propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

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