Aralia cordata 'Sun King' (Japanese spikenard 'Sun King')

Botanical name

Aralia cordata 'Sun King'

Other names

Japanese spikenard 'Sun King', Udo 'Sun King'

Genus

Aralia Aralia

Variety or Cultivar

'Sun King' _ 'Sun King' is an upright, clump-forming, deciduous perennial bearing pinnate leaves with ovate to elliptic, toothed, yellow-green leaflets and, in summer, upright spikes of tiny white flowers followed by purple-black fruit.

Foliage

Deciduous

Tree shape

Open branched, Spreading

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Colour

Flower

White in Summer

Foliage

Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

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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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Aralia cordata 'Sun King' (Japanese spikenard 'Sun King') will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 1.2m 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.

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

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Aralia cordata 'Sun King' (Japanese spikenard 'Sun King')

Common pest name

Leaf spot: ginseng; Leaf spot: ornamentals

Scientific pest name

Alternaria panax

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A leaf spot disease; some commonly grown pot plants are hosts but main damage is to ginseng.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Aralia cordata 'Sun King' (Japanese spikenard 'Sun King')

Common pest name

pink wax scale; red was scale; ruby wax scale

Scientific pest name

Ceroplastes rubens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Based on its biology and low potential impact continued action on this pest in the UK would not be considered appropriate. It is likely to be of more concern to southern Member States of the EU; as it is an economic pest of citrus.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Aralia cordata 'Sun King' (Japanese spikenard 'Sun King')

Common pest name

; mango aphid

Scientific pest name

Aphis odinae

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Aphid pest unlikely to survive in the UK and considered to be little or no pytosanitary risk.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/