ARALIA elata also called the Japanese angelica tree (vernacular name) is the plant of the four seasons: In spring, its young shoots are remarkable, in summer its huge leaves give it an exotic appearance with an important white flowering, in autumn its leaves take on superb flamboyant colors and finally in winter, its vertical stems of a light gray color give it a very original design. This plant reaches a maximum height of 3 to 5 meters.
How to grow ARALIA elata
The Japanese angelica tree needs a sheltered location from the afternoon sun (shade to partial shade). This shrub or small tree is very easy to grow and perfectly adapted to large and small gardens. It is resistant to temperatures below -20 °C. Furthermore, it is a plant suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners.
History and Origin
The natural habitat of ARALIA elata is in China, Korea, Japan and eastern Russia. Its bark is rough and thorny. The leaves can reach 60 to 120 cm. The flowers are white. The fruits are black and appreciated by birds. It likes loamy soils, but can also grow in poorer soils. This species is very close to the American ARALIA spinosa. The two species are easily confused. The Japanese use the young shoots in cooking in spring. They are then broken at the end of branches to be fried. In Korea, young shoots are harvested from April to May, when they are soft and fragrant. The Koreans marinate them, fry them in a pan or deep fryer.
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