Aralia racemosa
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Tried and True Recommended by 3 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: American spikenard
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Araliaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Native Range: North America
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Spread: 3 to 5 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Drought
Uses: Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium moisture soil in full sun to part shade. Slowly spreads by thick rhizomes.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Spikenard is a shrubby-looking, soft-stemmed, Missouri native herbaceous perennial which occurs on wooded slopes, ledges and ravines in the Ozark region and in rich, moist woods of the northeast region of the State. Features smooth, branching stems typically growing 3-5' tall (less frequently to 6') and compound foliage (9-21 coarse, heart-shaped, toothed leaflets). Tiny white flowers in numerous small umbels arranged in long, terminal panicles appear in early summer. Flowers are followed by inedible, dark purple berries. Thick roots are spicy-aromatic and have been used to flavor teas and root beer.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Woodland gardens, naturalized areas, wild gardens and native plant gardens.

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