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Aralia cordata (Japanese spikenard)
1 hour care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Aralia cordata
Other names
Japanese spikenard, Udo, Aralia nudicaulis, Aralia taiwaniana, Aralia edulis
Genus
Aralia Aralia
Species
A. cordata - A. cordata is a vigorous, upright, clump-forming, deciduous perennial bearing pinnate leaves with ovate to elliptic, finely toothed, bright green leaflets, yellow-green in spring, and, in summer, umbels of tiny, white flowers followed by purple-black fruit.
Aralia cordata is: Deciduous
Tree shape
Open branched, Spreading
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Yellow-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids Aphids
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back to the ground after fruiting in autumn.
Propagation
Propagate by seed when ripe or root cuttings and suckers. This plant is difficult to propagate and is therefore expensive.
Propagation methods
Grafting, Seed, Root cuttings
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Where to grow
Aralia cordata (Japanese spikenard) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, neutral to acid, moist soil in partial shade. Tolerates full sun if soil is kept consistently moist. Tolerates full shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Aralia cordata
Other names
Japanese spikenard, Udo, Aralia nudicaulis, Aralia taiwaniana, Aralia edulis
Genus
Aralia Aralia
Species
A. cordata - A. cordata is a vigorous, upright, clump-forming, deciduous perennial bearing pinnate leaves with ovate to elliptic, finely toothed, bright green leaflets, yellow-green in spring, and, in summer, umbels of tiny, white flowers followed by purple-black fruit.
Native to
China, Japan
Foliage
Deciduous
Tree shape
Open branched, Spreading
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Colour
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Yellow-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back to the ground after fruiting in autumn.
Propagation
Propagate by seed when ripe or root cuttings and suckers. This plant is difficult to propagate and is therefore expensive.
Propagation methods
Grafting, Seed, Root cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Aralia cordata (Japanese spikenard) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, neutral to acid, moist soil in partial shade. Tolerates full sun if soil is kept consistently moist. Tolerates full shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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