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Aralia - Herbaceous Growing Guide
Growing herbaceous Aralia
Unlike Aralia elata and other species of aralia which are trees Burncoose are now offering three species which are large deciduous herbaceous plants.
Aralia cachemirica – Kashmir spikenard
This is a statuesque clump forming perennial which is capable of strong growth in rich soil conditions where it can grow up to 10-12ft tall. It has light green tri-pinnate leaves topped in summer by huge terminal sprays of white flowers. These quickly ripen into rounded purple-black fruits by late summer when the foliage exhibits bronze and purple tints. Perfectly happy in full sun or partial shade and readily grown from seed.
Aralia cordata – Japanese spikenard
An upright herbaceous perennial growing to 6-10ft when mature. Its new shoots in spring are eaten locally as a vegetable. Spikes of small white flowers in late summer are followed by purple berries. This plant grows well in full or partial sun and dislikes being waterlogged over winter. Some wind protection or staking may be necessary when in full growth.
Aralia racemosa – American spikenard
A rhizomatous, soft stemmed herbaceous perennial native from Quebec and south to Kansas and Georgia. It has a shrubby appearance in summer but dies down in winter. Native Americans used the roots to treat a whole variety of ailments. It grows to around 6ft in height and is not frost tender. It has white flowers and clusters of purple-red fruits in autumn.