Can You Eat Aralia Sun King?

They eventually give way in the late fall too little, virtually black berries, which are beloved by birds and have a far more visually intriguing appearance than the blooms did.

The berries do not contain any toxins, yet most people do not eat them since they are not edible.

However, the young stalks of this plant are edible, which is likely why it is sometimes referred to as mountain asparagus.

In its native nations of Japan, Korea, and China, the stalks are consumed as a vegetable after being blanched or pickled. The Japanese word for these stalks is udo.

However, I doubt that most gardeners will be eating their golden aralia any time soon since it is just too appealing for that purpose.

How Do You Plant Aralia Sun King?

Sun King is a magnificent foliage plant that, when grown in full sun, produces a mound of big, golden-yellow leaves that maintain their coloration very well.

In the late summer, the plant will produce spikes of tiny white blooms, which are then followed by purple berries.

It works wonderfully as a backdrop for flowers of varying hues and is excellent for giving a garden border some much-needed structure.

Grow the Aralia Sun King in slightly damp soil but otherwise well-drained, and expose it to full sun to moderate shade (leaf colour will darken to lime green in shade). Maintain a regular watering schedule and seek shelter from the wind.

Does Aralia Sun King Die Back In Winter?

The Sun King Aralia is a tropical plant that has the ability to grow in USDA zones 3 through 9. It is not a winter hardy plant and will begin to suffer foliage loss when temperatures drop below 30°F.

The ideal growing conditions for ‘Sun King’ are humus-rich, wet, and well-drained soils. To prevent the huge foliage from being harmed by the powerful winds, protect it.

There is no requirement for trimming. However, the plant often dies back to the ground in regions with colder winters.

Once the plant has budded back up again in the spring, the dead stems can be removed.

This plant can thrive in neutral, alkaline, or acidic soils, regardless of whether they are sandy or clay. It prefers average wetness. The end of summer is peak bloom period.

Is Sun King Aralia Perennial?

The emergence of ‘Sun King’ makes it an ideal companion plant for forest perennials. Golden leaves contrast with the stems, which are a reddish brown color.

The plant grows rapidly into a huge clump of leaves that is particularly resistant to being eaten by animals.

The majority of horticulturists are of the opinion that it will ultimately reach a height of more than three feet.

Due to its enormous size and very rapid rate of growth, this aralia requires a significant amount of area in it to flourish. Additionally, the plant can tolerate soil that is always moist.

In the middle to late summer, small white flowers develop racemes, followed by berries that have an inedible deep purple-black color.

Like those of other aralias, the blooms are frequented mostly by honeybees, but they also draw a significant number of other pollinators.

Because aralias frequently self-sow in the areas where the berries fall, it is quite simple to naturalize them into colonies.

Are Sun King Aralia Deer Resistant?

The recent announcement that Aralia ‘Sun King’ would serve as the 2020 Perennial Plant of the Year came from the Perennial Plant Association.

The shade to the part-shade border would benefit greatly from having Aralia ‘Sun King’ as an anchor plant due to the vivid flash of luminous color and texture it provides.

The perennial plant has robust, complex foliage that is resistant to deer and ranges in color from golden yellow to chartreuse. There are no patents or other limitations placed on the plant.

Larger than the standard perennial, once established the perennial will generally reach heights of 4 feet and widths of the same, but it is not unusual for elderly plants to reach heights of 6 feet.

Where Does Aralia Sun King Grow?

The Sun King Aralia is cultivated by gardeners in USDA zones 3 through 9. The plant requires average wet, well-drained soil and is available in a range of sizes.

Sun King’ is most successful when grown in anywhere from partial to complete shade, and the color of the leaves is improved by morning sun.

Maintaining a consistent moisture level in the soil helps protect leaves from wilting and/or becoming crispy when exposed to excessive sunshine or dry conditions.

How Do You Prune Aralia Sun King?

Sun King Aralia is a low-maintenance perennial. The plant will eventually shed all foliage over several years and then selectively resume new growth, emerging from the soil in the spring.

It can be planted in a container, bag, or mounded up and placed on its side for support. New stems will emerge from buds at the base of old stems.

The Sun King loves humus soils that are wet, rich, and have good drainage. To prevent the huge foliage from being harmed by the powerful winds, protect it.

There is no requirement for trimming; however, the plant often dies back to the ground in regions with colder winters.

Once the plant has budded back up again in the spring, the dead stems can be removed.

Does Aralia Sun King Flowers?

The plant blooms readily enough in late summer with tall panicles of round umbels at the top of the plant.

The individual blooms are white, but they are supported by a light-green ovary, which makes them look more lime green than white.

In light of the beautiful yellow foliage just below them, the blooms don’t make much of an impression, despite the fact that bees plainly like them.

The berries more than make up for the lack of show put on by the blossoms. They eventually give way in the late fall too little, virtually black berries, which are beloved by birds and have a far more visually intriguing appearance than the blooms did. The berries do not contain any toxins, yet most people do not eat them since they are not edible.

However, the young stalks of this plant are edible, which is likely why it is sometimes referred to as mountain asparagus.

Why Is My Aralia Sun King Dying?

There are several reasons why an Aralia could be dying, but the most common reasons are;

Overwatering

Overwatering is a common problem for the Aralia. The plant requires moist, but well-drained soil and should not be kept continuously wet.

This is because the leaves will become susceptible to rot when the water is too high. Also, the plant will eventually die because the roots will become stressed due to too much water.

When this happens, the top of the plant will appear very limp and eventually die.

Under Watering

The Sun King Aralia is a perennial but it is deciduous, and can die during winter. If the plant does not receive enough water during winter, it will not be able to survive the dry winter season, and it may die because of this.

When you water your plant in the autumn time, make sure you give it enough water to flush out any salts that would have accumulated in its leaves (sodium).

Too Much Shade

Sun King Aralia is a beautiful plant but it can wither and die rapidly if too much shade is put on the plant. Not enough sunlight means that the leaves need to get more light, reducing the amount of water they receive because they cannot photosynthesize as fast.

Also, since they cannot photosynthesize, they will not produce as much energy, making them less able to survive winter.

Too Cold Temperatures

The Aralia is a tropical plant that requires warm temperatures to survive. If the temperatures get too cold, they will die.

This is because they will not be able to photosynthesize once they have lost all of their leaves. When this happens, the plant will eventually die.

Over Fertilization

If you use a fertilizer that is too high in nitrogen (too much nitrogen) you run the risk of over-fertilizing your plant, which can result in nitrate poisoning. This will cause your plant to die.

This is because the nitrogen will accumulate in the leaves and stems of your plant, and when this happens, you risk burning your plant.

You should always do it at half strength when it comes to fertilizing. This is because when the nitrogen is over-concentrated, the bulbs will take up more of it than they need.

Lack Of Sunlight

Too little sunlight will cause your plant to wither and die. The Sun King Aralia is a tropical plant and requires lots of sunlight to grow properly.

This is because the leaves will cease producing chlorophyll, which is a primary source of energy for the plant.

When the leaves stop photosynthesizing, they cannot produce as much energy and cannot survive the cold temperatures that are so typical of winter.

Root Fungus

If you notice a white layer of fungus build up on your taproot, or the roots of your plant, it is likely that you have root rot.

This fungus is a common problem for houseplants, but it can be treated with fungicidal soaps and a few fungicide sprays to kill it off.

Does Aralia Sun King Have Any Pests?

This plant can thrive in neutral, alkaline, or acidic soils, regardless of whether they are sandy or clay. It prefers average wetness. The end of summer is peak bloom period.

The plant is not plagued by any significant issues with insects or diseases. Be looking for pests such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, snails, and slugs. Spots on the leaves might appear.

It’s possible that you already have this wonderful plant growing in your garden, but if not, it’s an amazing huge perennial that the vast majority of gardeners may easily use in a bed or container.