Aralia cordata 'Sun King'

Perennial of the Year 2020

'Sun King' produces bright gold leaves and the more shade you provide the brighter they'll get. It's a fast grower and naturalizes well in the garden.

This plant quickly forms a nicely shaped clump that makes an excellent companion for hostas and other shade perennials. Tiny white flowers, which are attractive for honeybees, will appear in mid to late summer followed by deep purple (inedible) berries. Aralia cordata is commonly known as Japanese spikenard, mountain asparagus or udo. The young shoots of this plant are considered a culinary delicacy in Japan with a taste resembling that of asparagus. The white fleshy roots are eaten as one would consume a parsnip and Udo leaves may be eaten as a vegetable when young.