Aralia californica

Aralia californica, Western Spikenard, is one of four species of Aralia native to the United States. It is endemic to California and Oregon and is found growing in moist woodland and shady riparian locations along the banks of creeks and streams. Unlike the spiny woody-stemmed Aralias, the Spikenard Aralias are herbaceous perennials and their aromatic rootstocks have medicinal properties.

The pinnate compound foliage is a lush green and is very fast growing; established plants reaching up to 2 metres high in their annual growth cycle. In summer they are followed by racemes of attractive white flowers, typical of the Aralioideae. These in turn are followed by small black berries.

With their hardy deciduous shrubby habit and extremely exotic-looking foliage it is a surprise that this gorgeous herbaceous perennial is so little grown in the UK.

Be different.

These are large bare rootstocks now dormant for the winter. They will continue root growth over winter and have a head start in the spring