Pseudopanax Gecko Gold

Pseudopanax 'Gecko Gold', is a superb plant for mild climates, perfect in a contemporary setting, ideal for adding a touch of lushness and exoticism to even the smallest garden, especially in partially shaded areas. This variety forms a large upright bush adorned with beautiful glossy, palmate leaves, richly variegated with two shades of green on a cream-yellow to golden-yellow background. Plant this bush in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained but moist soil. It thrives particularly well in our mild oceanic climates. Gardeners in colder regions can give it a prominent place on the patio during the warmer seasons, and protect it from heavy frosts in winter.

Pseudopanax 'Gecko Gold' and its hybrids belong to the Aralia family, just like the Angelica tree. It is native to the wet and damp coastal areas of New Zealand. Its hybridisation with P. crassifolius has given rise to numerous varieties, selected in New Zealand, which have surpassed their parent in terms of foliage beauty.  It is an evergreen shrub that prefers humus-rich, fertile, and slightly acidic soil, as well as a mild and humid oceanic climate, retaining its foliage throughout the year. It can reach 3m (10ft) in height with a 2m (7ft) spread, and displays an elegant, dense, bushy, and upright habit. Its growth rate is quite fast. The young leaves have a different appearance from the mature leaves. The latter are divided into 5 ovate leaflets with pointed tips, slightly dentate along the edges. They are randomly margined with forest green and splashed and striated with lime green on a yellow background. The distribution of the yellow colour on the leaves somewhat resembles a gecko's foot. In this Pseudopanax species, there are male and female individuals. Only the female plants will bear small ovoid fruits of black colour after pollination.

Mostly cultivated for the beauty of their foliage, Pseudopanax lessonii and its varieties are fascinating plants of great ornamental value, and relatively easy to acclimatise in open ground in milder coatal areas. The Gecko Gold cultivar will appeal to enthusiasts of graphic, exotic, and lush plants. It can be displayed as a specimen in a large pot on the patio, or for example, paired with dwarf bamboos, ferns, and horsetails. Hardy to -5°C (23°F), it requires non-limestone, humus-rich, well-drained soil and a sheltered position from cold and dry winds, in mild climates, including coastal areas. Undoubtedly, it is a very beautiful collector's plant to be grown in a large pot that will be stored in a conservatory or greenhouse during winter.