Pseudopanax Goldsplash

Pseudopanax Goldsplash is a superb plant for mild climates, perfect for adding a touch of lushness and exoticism to even the most modest decor. This variety forms a large, dense bush adorned with beautiful evergreen, palmate leaves, nicely variegated with green, cream, and golden yellow. Plant this bush in a sunny or semi-shaded spot, in well-drained but moist soil. It will particularly thrive in mild coastal climates. Gardeners in colder regions should give it a prominent place on the patio during the summer and protect it from heavy frosts in winter.

Pseudopanax lessonii and its hybrids belong to the Araliaceae family, just like the Angelica Tree. It is native to the wet and cool coastal areas of New Zealand. Its hybridisation with P. crassifolius has given rise to numerous varieties, selected in New Zealand, which have supplanted their parent due to the beauty of their foliage. 'Goldsplash', is a genetic mutation of P. lessonii, discovered in Trevor Davies' garden in New Plymouth, New Zealand. It is a bush that thrives in humus-rich, fertile, and rather acidic soil, in a mild and humid oceanic climate. It can reach 3m (10ft) in all directions and has a dense and bushy habit. Its growth is quite rapid. The young leaves have a different appearance from the mature leaves. The mature leaves are divided into 5 narrow and elongated leaflets, slightly toothed along the edges. They are randomly splashed with light yellow and streaked with golden yellow on a green background. This Pseudopanax has both male and female individuals. Only the female plants will bear small ovoid fruits, black in color, after pollination.

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