Fatsia japonica seeds - Japanese aralia

Sowing Japanese Aralia or Fatsia japonica seeds allows you to witness the germination and growth of this exotic evergreen bush with its luxuriant foliage. Its development is slow, but with a little patience, it forms a beautiful plant adorned with large, broad, dark green, glossy and deeply lobed leaves. In autumn, it becomes covered with small white pompom flowers, followed by decorative black fruits in winter. Suitable for shady or semi-shady gardens, this Aralia can also be grown in pots to add an architectural touch to sheltered terraces and balconies. Growing from seed allows you to enjoy it at a lower cost.

Native to southern Japan and Taiwan, Fatsia japonica, also called Aralia japonica, Aralia sieboldii or Siebold's Fatsia, belongs, like ivy, to the Araliaceae family. In its natural habitat, it grows naturally on the edges of humid forests, often under the cover of larger trees that filter the light. It thrives in soil rich in organic matter, moist and well-drained, which allows it to develop dense and decorative foliage. It is a giant herbaceous perennial, not to be confused with Aralias, which are true deciduous trees with thorny stems. The Japanese Aralia has long petioles bearing very large leaves. Its habit is rounded and spreading, giving a lush, tropical plant appearance. Its growth is rather slow. Its magnificent palmate leaves, divided into 7 to 9 lobes, measure 15 to 30 cm in diameter; they are evergreen and borne on a branching false trunk, giving it a very structured habit and an exotic look. The tiny flowers appear from July to September, grouped in clusters of small creamy-white pompoms. Later, they turn into equally decorative black beads, much appreciated by birds. In a garden, Fatsia japonica reaches 2 to 3 m in height and spreads just as wide. Hardy down to -12°C, its foliage can be damaged by frost, cold wind or snow. A sheltered planting, against a wall or under deciduous trees, improves its resistance and helps preserve its foliage in winter.

Perfect for shaded borders, ideally in partial shade, Japanese Aralia pairs well with bamboos, hostas, ferns, rodgersias or the Chinese windmill palm in a lush and exotic setting. In pots, it adapts well to protected spaces and makes a beautiful year-round green feature. It adds a great deal of originality to gardens and shaded terraces.