Aralia elata

A plant native to parts of Eastern Asia, including Japan, China and Korea, Aralia elata has huge, bi-pinnate leaves which can be up to 100 - 125 cm long on an established plants. The intriguing stems are covered with large thorns and in late summer, very ornamental, creamy-white flower panicles open.

Aralia elata  is very suitable to larger gardens or woodland areas as it will generally sucker and eventually form an established thicket with great architectural quality!

• Position: Full sun or shade in a position sheltered from strong winds.
• Soil: Any well drained, fertile soil. Aralia elata is tolerant of nutritionally poor soil.
• Hardiness: Hardy. The young foliage can be damaged by late frost and Aralia elata is best planted in a position out of early morning sunlight.
• Flowering Period: August - September
• Flower Colour: Creamy white
• Rate of Growth: Moderate to vigorous.
• Habit: Aralia elata grows to be a large branching, spreading shrub.
  • Height: up to 5 m (16 ft)
  • Spread: 5 m (16 ft)

• Notes: We have a specimen of Aralia elata, planted in the arboretum surrounding our nursery. It is 12 years old, has suckered to form a thicket (4 m diameter)of single stems, each around 3 - 4 m tall. These suckers can be removed yearly to keep the Aralia growing with a single stem if required.