Fatsia japonica Variegata

The Fatsia japonica Variegata is a selection of variegated Japanese Aralia that possesses all the qualities of the wild plant and more, with its elegantly palmate foliage, variegated with bright green and white. Its creamy-white globular flowers bloom in large numbers, usually in late summer, grouped in clusters that somewhat resemble ivy inflorescences. They are also nectar-rich and give rise to small, decorative black fruits, but they are not edible. This plant, much more cold-resistant than it seems, is a wonder for shaded or semi-shaded areas of the garden. It thrives in moist, humus-rich soil without excessive limestone.

The Fatsia japonica Variegata (syn. Aralia cordata), also known as Aralia or Japanese Fatsia, is a plant of the araliaceae family. Its wild ancestor is native to Southeast Asia, particularly Japan, Korea, and China. It is a giant herbaceous perennial, not to be confused with true deciduous Aralias with thorny stems. The false aralia is composed of long petioles bearing very large leaves, giving it a rounded and sprawling habit as well as a lush tropical appearance. Its growth is rather slow. Having initially gained popularity as a houseplant, the Japanese Aralia has become, through inspired landscapers, an excellent garden plant, hardy and valuable for the design of shaded urban spaces. Cultivated in pots, it will not exceed 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in all directions, while it can easily reach 2 m (6 ft 7 in) when planted in the ground.

The 'Variegata' cultivar is a spontaneous mutation of this species. It is mainly distinguished by its foliage randomly streaked with creamy-white along the edges. Its beautiful palmate leaves, divided into 7 to 9 lobes, measure 15 to 30 cm (5.9 to 11.8 in) in diameter, they are evergreen and are borne on a branched false trunk giving it a very structured habit and exotic look. Tiny flowers appear from July to September, grouped in clusters of small creamy-white pompoms. Later, they transform into equally decorative black pearls, highly appreciated by birds.

Fatsia japonica Variegata thrives in partial shade, in very fresh, light, and preferably neutral to acidic soils. Hardy down to -15°C (5 °F), its foliage may suffer damage from snow or winter winds; therefore, it should be planted in a sheltered spot protected from cold and dry winds. In the garden or on the terrace, this Fatsia immediately creates an atmosphere of lush and exotic undergrowth, while brightening up shady areas. Plant it to the south or west, against a wall or in a shaded bed, alongside luxuriant foliage plants such as rodgersias, bamboos, Chinese fan palms, or Gunnera. Ferns, hostas, and creeping bugles can also be planted at its base. Small gardens or urban patios will be transformed by its presence, especially in poorly sunlit areas, enclosed between walls or sometimes unattractive partitions.