Lawanda's Garden

      The Perennial Plant Association has announced Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ as its choice for 2020 Perennial Plant of the Year.

      ‘Sun King’ is a high-impact plant that will provide a large, bright pop of color to shade or part-shade gardens.  In appearance, it is like a very large spirea, although the stems are not woody.  It dies back each fall, but by mid-summer grows 4-6 feet tall and nearly as wide.

      Vivid yellow shoots emerge in spring followed by bright gold compound leaves held on reddish-brown stems that can be up to three feet long.  Later in summer the foliage color depends upon how much sun the plant gets.  In part shade, leaves remain golden.  In heavy shade, leaves turn a beautiful lime green.

      In late July through September small white flowers cover the plant, attracting many pollinators.  The flowers eventually develop into tiny, inedible dark purple berries.

      You might be concerned that something so large and fast growing will spread and take over your garden, but that isn’t the case.  ‘Sun King’ does very little reseeding or suckering.

      It benefits from a slight pinching or cutting back in May which will encourage branching.  During periods of drought or if you find you’ve planted it in a too-sunny spot, it will need supplemental water.  It will thank you for placing it in a well-drained soil and for the occasional addition of compost.  ‘Sun King’ has no serious insect or disease problems and deer will leave it alone.

      Obviously because of its size, ‘Sun King’ belong in the back of the garden bed.  It pairs well with hostas, ferns, and shade-loving maroon-leafed plants.  It will also do well in a large container.

      ‘Sun King’ is native to Japan where the young shoots are blanched or pickled and considered a culinary delicacy.  The flavor is described as “asparagus-like” or “lemony.”  The roots are also eaten and are prepared like parsnips.

      Are you wondering how a plant comes to be chosen Perennial Plant of the Year?  Perennial Plant Association members vote each summer on the following year’s plant.  At that time, each member is allowed to nominate two plants for future consideration.  A committee reviews the nominated plants, which may number 400, and narrows the field to three or four to be placed on the ballot.

      Plant nominees need to satisfy the following criteria:  suitable for a wide range of climates, low-maintenance, relatively pest-free and disease resistant, multiple seasons of ornamental interest, and be readily available at garden centers the year it is elected.

      You might call ‘Sun King’ the Susan Lucci of the plant world.  It has been nominated over and over for Perennial Plant of the Year and this year finally took the prize.  That doesn’t in any way lessen the honor though.  It’s just that there are so many deserving perennials that competition for the top spot is fierce.