Fatsia Japonica
This foliage plant makes a bold addition to a courtyard or patio.
Fatsia japonica, sometimes called Japanese aralia, is a shade-loving shrub that thrives in moist conditions. It’s usually grown for its outstanding foliage. The huge leaves are deeply lobed and grow to almost a foot wide.
The broad, dark green leaves and stiff stems create a dramatic landscape effect for any shady spot but it is especially well-suited for entranceways or container culture. Upright stems bend and curve their way to about eight feet tall before falling horizontally under their own weight. New sprouts often originate toward the base of older stems.
Upright clusters of showy, creamy white flowers in fall are followed in winter by shiny, black, inedible fruit. Fruits persist on the prominent stalks for several weeks.
Fatsia can be grown in beds or in containers both inside and out. Plant three feet apart in a mass planting for a coarse-textured effect. It likes slightly acid, nutrient-rich, moist soil, and does best in shade. Stems that become leggy may be cut back to encourage branching. When properly situated, fatsia is a low-maintenance plant seldom bothered by pests, and it can be planted throughout the state. As a plus for coastal gardeners, it’s generally salt-tolerant as well.