Sun King Aralias - 6 Weeks Later - July 2025

Back in June, I planted three (more) Sun King Aralias in the backyard.  Last year, I planted six of the same plant in the far backyard and they came back and are thriving.  So, at the Morton Arboretum Sale this year, I bought three more for the yard.  

I tucked them into the other side of the backyard (southside) about half-way back near the Green Giant Thujas.  This is a spot where I previously had an Oakleaf Hydrangea (rabbits killed it) and these three bright-green perennials check a few boxes: 

1.  Repetition.  With this second colony of Sun Kings, we now are starting to show a little bit of the notion of 'repetition'.

2.  Lean into what's working.  With the six (that I ignored last year) coming back, I knew these would work well in our conditions.

3. Japanese-inspired gardening. I mean...the plants are named Sun King Golden Japanese Aralias.

4.  Foliage gardening.  These don't flower.  Or, at least don't flower meaningfully.  They are foliage plants.  I'm a shade gardener.  That means.... Foliage gardening is my love language. 
 

5.  Bright color.  These sure brighten up a shady spot.  Don't believe me?  Have a look at this photo below.  This is five weeks post-planting as one-gallon nursery pots:

They really POP in that photo, don't they? 

Next year's wish list:  more of these at the Morton sale.