Aralia elata Golden Umbrella

Aralia elata Golden Umbrella or Aureovariegata, also known as the Japanese Angelica Tree or Variegated Japanese Aralia, is an unusual bush with a sleek shape that brings an exotic, Japanese-style charm to any garden. It forms a small, lightly branched parasol with multiple trunks, adorned with grey bark and large, deeply cut leaves that are widely and irregularly variegated with pale yellow. In late summer, the leaves take on silvery tones and in autumn they turn into sumptuous shades of yellow with hints of purple. This marvellous species also produces large, creamy-white, fluffy and fragrant umbels in late summer, followed by shiny blue-black fruits. Over time, it establishes its elegant presence, deserving pride of place in the garden. Plant in any ordinary soil, whether in shade or sunlight.

The Japanese Angelica Tree belongs to the Araliaceae family. It is native to Japan and northeastern Asia. It is a bush with a spreading habit that can reach a height of 4 to 5m (13 - 16 ft ), or even 10m (33 ft) in certain regions, with a mature spread exceeding 5m (16 ft). The 'Aureovariegata' variety is distinguished by its smaller size and magnificent variegated foliage of green and pale yellow. Young plants grow on a single trunk, with leaves only at the top, but as they age more and more lateral branches appear. The bark is grey, in small spiky plates. These spines can also be found on the branches. The leaves are deciduous and compound, sometimes reaching 60cm (24 in) in length. They are divided into numerous narrow and pointed leaflets that bear small spines on the petiole. Flowers appear in late summer and last for several weeks. They are tiny, creamy-white dots gathered in a delicate, fragrant panicle, resembling a buzzing mist of bees hovering above the foliage. They are grouped in a flexible panicle measuring 20 to 40cm (7 - 16 in) in length. Small blackish fruits, highly sought after by birds, follow the flowers. Aralia elata tends to spread through suckers and forms clumps, earning it the nickname "the walking tree".

This is a beautiful bush that can withstand cold, shade, and sunlight, and adapts well to most soil types. Its highly ornamental foliage deserves protection from strong winds to preserve its beauty. Once established, it looks stunning as a solitary plant on a lawn or grouped together to form a cluster. Add interest by combining it with trees and shrubs that also appreciate moist to wet soils, such as alder buckthorn, rosemary-leaved willow, and guelder rose. In a more exotic setting consider pairing with other beautiful Asian plants, such as caramel tree, Japanese maple, Fatsia, or Arisaema. The reflection of its snow-white and silver form in a pond in September is a stunning and evocative sight. The only precaution to take, given its sharp spines, is to keep young children away from it.

Aralia elata is also a medicinal plant. Its berries and bark contain an anti-inflammatory extract used in medicine. The bark is used particularly in herbal medicine.