PERENNIAL FOCUS

Aralia ‘Sun King’ sited between the cutleaf Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum ‘Viridis’and a Red-Leafed Banana, Ensete maurielii, for both color and textural contrast.

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb

ARALIA CORDATA ‘SUN KING’ SUN KING SPIKENARD

The Perennial Plant of the Year 2020 is Aralia ‘Sun King’, a high-impact, low maintenance, Asian perennial that is hardy in zones 3-9. Unlike the French king Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, this sun king is the perfect anchor for the shade or part shade border, bringing a bold pop of glowing color and texture. “Discovered” by plantsman Barry Yinger in a Japanese garden center (atop a department store), this perennial has become a beloved shade garden staple across the country. I’ve had this stunning perennial in my garden since 2016 in a northeast facing bed. The bright yellow shoots that emerge in spring on reddish brown stems (quickly hidden by the large leaves) grow at least three feet tall and wide but can grow as tall and wide as six feet. However, it takes well to pruning if you want to keep it shorter.

SUMMER SELECTIONS

Avon | Broadview | Hilliard

continued from page 8

Although I grow ‘Sun King’ for its foliage, I also enjoy its flowers and berries in late summer and fall.

foliage is green. If you can site this Aralia so that it receives a few hours of sun, the leaves will be yellow. Otherwise, the foliage will be more chartreuse.

In late summer, the small, creamy-white umbels of flowers are attractive to humans and to bees and are followed by tiny dark purple, inedible berries. Unlike other spikenards, this one is very well behaved with little to no reseeding or suckering.

Aralia ‘Sun King’ would prefer loamy, well-drained soil but will grow well in less than ideal conditions as long as it receives sufficient moisture. Like most herbaceous perennials, it will die back to the ground during the winter.

‘Sun King’ makes a wonderful foil for the usual woodland perennials such as hosta, ferns, Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ and Brunnnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’. It also provides great color and textural contrast with red and purple foliage woodies such as one of the Acer palmatum cultivars. It can also be used to stunning effect in large containers, much more interesting than the standard planting of shade annuals like Begonias and Impatiens.

I know you will find many uses for this special perennial.

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, freelance writer, and lecturer whose specialties are perennial gardens and four season landscapes. In addition to being an Ohio Landscape Association (OLA) member, she is an active member of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) and Perennial Plant Association (PPA). Bobbie is a Past President of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). Bobbie’s new book, Garden Renovation: Transform Your Yard into the Garden of Your Dreams, was published in November 2017 by Timber Press.

REPAIRS - SALES - PARTS OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT Most makes and models

Al Pniewski & his son, Allen Jr., look forward to serving your lawn equipment needs in their new location!

12126 York Rd., Unit A, North Royalton, OH 44133 440.230.3807 www.A1power.us

Large selection of new machines year round Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm, or By Appointment

TOPSOIL • MULCH STONE • GRAVEL COMPOST WHOLESALE SUPPLY CENTER

LAKE COUNTY 6011 HEISLEY ROAD

CUYAHOGA COUNTY 600 SOLON ROAD

440-357-MRLM (6756)

Our commitment to quality reflects our passion for what we make, and pride in our products!

Grow greener with our premium soils, garden mixes, organic amendments or compost.

STOCKPILED AND READY TO DELIVER!

MRLM PREMIUM PRODUCTS

Made from all natural, premium, hardwood materials. No Pallets, No Treated Woods, No Debris, No Worries!

Become a member of MRLM's Reward Program now & reap the benefits this season!

Applications available online or at any location.