Aralia cordata

Common Names

Udo, Japanese Spikenard, Spikenard, Mountain Asparagus

Summary

Japanese spikenard is an upright, herbaceous perennial native to East Asia (Japan, Korea, eastern China) that grows to about 2.5 m tall and wide, with large pinnate leaves that are gold-green in spring and bright green in summer. In late summer it produces small white flowers in large umbels, followed by dark purple fruits, and new shoots emerge each spring that are blanched and eaten as a vegetable, delivering an aromatic flavor.

Prefers moist, well-drained soil and tolerates full sun to full shade if watered; hardiness zones 4–9; can be propagated by seed or root suckers; maintenance is low; edible shoots blanched for vegetable use and ornamental value; flowers attract bees; susceptible to aphids and honey fungus.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 feet

Spread

3-9 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loam soil, pH 5.0–7.5

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil that stays evenly moist; never soggy

Soil pH

5.0-7.5

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Summer (late summer)

Foliage Color

Spring golden; Summer and autumn green

Fall Foliage Color

Green, Gold, Green Yellow Gold

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Rapid growth; up to 1.8–2.7 m tall and wide per growing season.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division (including root suckers/basal shoots), Layering, Root cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and flies