Fatsia japonica 'Aralia'

Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica) is the answer to a dark, narrow, awkward corner. Big glossy hand shaped leaves, the largest 30cm to 40cm wide, give a tropical look on a shrub that tops out around 2.5m tall and 2m across and is frost hardy well into cool southern gardens. Very few plants will screen a fence line in genuine shade. This is one of them.

Why you'll love it

• It performs in real shade. Deep shade under eaves or below established trees is where it looks its best, not merely where it survives.
• Foliage that does the work. The leaves are large, glossy and evergreen, so a single plant reads as a feature without needing flowers or companions.
• Frost hardy and humidity tolerant. It handles a cold southern winter and a humid subtropical summer, a rare combination in a shade plant.
• Made for courtyards and balconies. At 2.5m by 2m it fills a shaded corner without pushing into the paving, and it takes to a large pot readily.

Where it works best

Shaded screening. Plant 1m apart in a single row to close a shady fence line or side passage. The large leaves block a view quickly, and it will not go bare at the base the way a sun loving hedge does in shade.

Pots, balconies and courtyards. A container 500mm or wider suits a single plant, which settles at roughly 1.5m to 2m potted. Shaded balconies and light wells are its natural home.

Feature planting in small gardens. One plant against a dark wall carries a whole corner, and the bold leaf shape contrasts nicely with ferns at its feet.

Growing Japanese Aralia in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade to full shade. Direct afternoon sun burns the leaves, so keep it out of the western sun. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate and subtropical gardens and handles frost once established. The wet tropics are more humid than it enjoys.

Soil. Rich, moist and free draining, with compost worked through before planting. Mulch 75mm deep and keep it clear of the stem. It will not tolerate a bed that stays waterlogged.

Water and feed. Thirstier than most shade shrubs. Water deeply twice a week through the first two summers, and watch potted plants, which dry out fast. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and mid summer keeps the leaves dark.

Pruning. Little is needed. If a plant grows leggy, cut the tallest stems back to a lower joint in early spring and it will branch from below.

What to expect when it arrives

This one is grown as tube stock and in 200mm pots sold in packs of six. Tubes are young single stemmed plants with a handful of leaves, suited to filling a long shaded run. The 200mm plants are already branching and are the practical choice for a courtyard or a pot.

Large soft leaves can bruise or drop in transit, which is normal rather than a fault, and new foliage replaces them within a season. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. Worth knowing before you buy: Japanese Aralia is listed as toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse plants that cope with full shade
• Compare plants for partial shade
• Plants suited to small gardens and courtyards
• Choosing the right size pot for your plant

Common questions

Will it grow in full sun?

Not happily. Western sun scorches the leaf edges and pales the colour. Morning sun is fine in a cool climate, but shade is where this plant belongs.

How far apart for a shady screen?

One metre apart in a single row. The large leaves overlap quickly at that spacing, and each plant still has room to hold width at the base.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. The leaves and stems are listed as toxic to cats and dogs, causing drooling, vomiting and mouth irritation if chewed. Site it out of reach or choose a different shade plant.