Three More Sun King Golden Japanese Aralias - Planted in Backyard - June 2025

Last year, I put in six Sun King Golden Japanese Aralia plants in a 'garden edit' in what I call the 'nook' behind our Weeping Nootka Cypress tree in the backyard.  They're really bright pops of semi-tropical-looking plants that thrive in shade.  And...since we have plenty of shade, these feel like a made-for-us kind of variety.  I bought those original six at the Morton Arboretum plant sale and they did just OK for their first year.  They went dormant early, so I wasn't sure if they'd come back.

I saw some new growth in early April, but still wasn't sure.  By early May, I saw all six were back, so that means...(at least to me) that these *work* in our backyard.  

#15 on my 2025 to-do list is to 'lean into what is working' - so adding more of these checks that box. #20 on that same list is to focus on 'repetition' vs adding net-new.  So, check number two.  And, finally...#10 is to work on 'legibility'.  These bright chartreuse perennials check that box.  Three-for-three.  

And, that's exactly how many new Sun Kings that I brought home from this year's Morton Arboretum sale.  I planted them on the southside - opposite the current stand of six.  Repetition and Legibility. 

Below are a few photos - showing the layout and planting of these three.  They're tucked in the bed right in front of some of the Green Giant Thujas along the fence. 

I pulled back the mulch, dug holes and planted them.  Then, pulled the mulch back on top.

Here's the sign from the Morton Sale showing the details.  I'll probably buy even more of these next year - if these three do well in the garden this year.