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Aralia racemosa (American spikenard)

Other names: American nard, Life-of-man, Petty morel, Wild spikenard

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Species
A. racemosa is a vigorous, spreading, spiny, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial with pinnate leaves divided into three to five, ovate, toothed, mid-green leaflets and, in late spring and early summer, spherical umbels of tiny, greenish-white to pale yellow flowers followed by spherical, dark reddish-purple fruit.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
3 m 1.2 m 2-5 years
9 ft 3 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist soil in sheltered site in partial shade. Exposure to strong winds may damage the large leaves. Tolerates full sun if soil is kept consistently moist. Tolerates full shade. site carefully as it tends to spread over time to form large thickets.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Low Maintenance

UK hardiness

H7

USDA zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Native to

Eastern North America, Central United States

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Cut back to the ground after fruiting in autumn.

Propagation methods

Seed, Root cuttings, Division

Propagation

Sow seed in a cold frame in autumn or cold stratify over winter and sow in spring. Tends to self-seed in ideal growing conditions. Divide in spring.

Pests

Aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Divide and replant in spring

Plant in fertile, moisture retentive soil

Cut back in autumn (optional)

Plant in partial or full shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Rooted suckers can be potted up in spring for one year before planting out

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (9)

Aralia

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Aralia elata 'Variegata'
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Aralia elata 'Variegata' Angelica tree 'Variegata'
Aralia elata 'Aureovariegata'
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Aralia elata 'Aureovariegata' Japanese angelica 'Aureovariegata'
Aralia elata
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Aralia elata Angelica tree
Aralia chinensis
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Aralia chinensis Chinese angelica tree
Aralia cordata
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Aralia cordata Japanese spikenard
Aralia spinosa
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Aralia spinosa Devil's walking stick
Aralia cachemirica
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Aralia cachemirica Kashmir spikenard
Aralia cordata 'Sun King'
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Aralia cordata 'Sun King' Japanese spikenard 'Sun King'
Aralia racemosa
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Aralia racemosa American spikenard
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Companion plants (3)

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Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Bagpuize Virginia'
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Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Bagpuize Virginia' Snowdrop 'Bagpuize Virginia'
Galanthus 'Bertram Anderson'
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Galanthus 'Bertram Anderson' Snowdrop 'Bertram Anderson'
Galanthus nivalis
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Galanthus nivalis Common snowdrop
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