'Sun King' Aralia | Creekside Champions™
Features
Characteristics
Plant Needs
Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ (Golden Japanese Spikenard)
Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ brings a bold, tropical flair to shaded gardens with its large, compound golden leaves that can reach up to 3 feet long. Emerging in mid-spring on contrasting reddish-brown stems, the bright golden foliage glows in part sun and shifts to soft chartreuse or lime green in deeper shade. This fast-growing perennial forms an impressive clump that makes a striking focal point among hostas, ferns, and other woodland companions — and it’s delightfully resistant to deer browsing.
In mid to late summer, clusters of tiny white flowers appear, followed by deep purplish-black berries (not edible). The blooms attract pollinators, especially honeybees, adding movement and life to shaded beds.
Why It’s a Creekside Champion™:
We love ‘Sun King’ for its dramatic color, bold texture, and reliable performance in shade. It’s a standout accent plant that brightens low-light areas and pairs beautifully with other shade-loving perennials.
Details:
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Bloom Color: White (followed by dark purple-black berries)
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Foliage Color: Golden Yellow to Chartreuse (depending on light)
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Height: 3' (potentially taller with age)
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Spread: 3–4'
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Spacing: 3–4'
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Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade (best color with some sun)
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USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9
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Bloom Time: Mid to Late Summer
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Characteristics: Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly, Heat Tolerant, Shade Garden Focal Point, Fast Growing
Photo(s) courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
Characteristics
Plant Needs
Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ (Golden Japanese Spikenard)
Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ brings a bold, tropical flair to shaded gardens with its large, compound golden leaves that can reach up to 3 feet long. Emerging in mid-spring on contrasting reddish-brown stems, the bright golden foliage glows in part sun and shifts to soft chartreuse or lime green in deeper shade. This fast-growing perennial forms an impressive clump that makes a striking focal point among hostas, ferns, and other woodland companions — and it’s delightfully resistant to deer browsing.
In mid to late summer, clusters of tiny white flowers appear, followed by deep purplish-black berries (not edible). The blooms attract pollinators, especially honeybees, adding movement and life to shaded beds.
Why It’s a Creekside Champion™:
We love ‘Sun King’ for its dramatic color, bold texture, and reliable performance in shade. It’s a standout accent plant that brightens low-light areas and pairs beautifully with other shade-loving perennials.
Details:
-
Bloom Color: White (followed by dark purple-black berries)
-
Foliage Color: Golden Yellow to Chartreuse (depending on light)
-
Height: 3' (potentially taller with age)
-
Spread: 3–4'
-
Spacing: 3–4'
-
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade (best color with some sun)
-
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9
-
Bloom Time: Mid to Late Summer
-
Characteristics: Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly, Heat Tolerant, Shade Garden Focal Point, Fast Growing
Photo(s) courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
