Fatsia japonica
Japanese aralia
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: September and October
- Flower colour: creamy white
- Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)
A tropical-looking, evergreen shrub with gorgeously glossy, deep green palmate leaves. In autumn, creamy white flowers are produced in large panicles, which are often followed by round, black fruit. It makes a superb feature in an exotic-style garden, where the large leaves team well with bamboos and grasses.- Garden care:
Prune lightly in mid- to late spring, trimming shoots that spoil the symmetry. Protect plants from cold, drying winds
Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
plantain lily
Slugs and snails tend to leave this one alone
Acanthus mollis
bear's breeches / brank ursine
Spectacular architectural plant with stunning flowers
Bergenia cordifolia
elephant's ears / heart-leaf bergenia
Ideal groundcover plant
Dicksonia antarctica
tree fern
Dramatic, exotic-looking fern
Sasa palmata
broad-leaved bamboo
Vigorous grower
Phyllostachys nigra
black bamboo
The only black bamboo
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Hide the huge, fingered leaves of this handsome tropical-looking plant in deep, dry shade and it will still provide white late-autumn, insect-friendly flowers
Val Bourne - Garden Writer