Aralia cordata

With the huge number of plants we've grown over the years, it's still hard to beat Aralia cordata. This easy-to-grow deciduous, deer resistant perennial matures in rich moist soils as an 8' tall x 8' wide monster...perfect for those who like bold, tropical-looking textures in their garden. Each pinnately-compound 4' long x 3.5' wide leaf attaches to the thick, bumpy, upright, green stalk, resembling an astilbe on steroids. Starting in late June, the clumps are topped with 2' long racemes of tiny white flowers which later turn into equally large racemes of small purple berries. In the South, we refer to plants like this as "big honkers."