Skip to content

American Spikenard

Aralia Racemosa

Design with this plant

Overview

The American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa) is a deciduous perennial native to North America. Reaching up to 3-4 feet tall with a similar spread, it features large, compound leaves and small, greenish-white flowers arranged in showy, compound racemes in summer, followed by dark purple berries. Thrives in partial shade to full shade and prefers moist, fertile soil. Noted for its striking foliage and berry display, it adds a lush, woodland aesthetic.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 3–9Climate Temperate
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — The American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa) is a deciduous perennial native to North America

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
3–9

Shape & size

Mature height
3–5 Ft.
Mature width
3–5 Ft.

Classification

Family
Araliaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (72)

American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — perennial with white blooms
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — white flowers in the garden
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — The American Spikenard can be a striking addition to a native garden
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — greenish-white flowers arranged in showy; which are also a food source for birds.<br><br>For optimal growth
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — compound racemes in summer; providing both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — perennial for full or half
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — The American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa) is a deciduous perennial native to North America; compound racemes in summer
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — Reaching up to 3-4 feet tall with a similar spread; coarse texture in the landscape.<br><br>Reaching an average height
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — is a deciduous perennial plant native to the rich woodlands of Eastern North America; compound racemes in summer
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — followed by dark purple berries; compound racemes in summer
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — commonly known as American Spikenard; providing both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — Thrives in partial shade to full shade and prefers moist, fertile soil; coarse texture in the landscape.<br><br>Reaching
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — Noted for its striking foliage and berry display, it adds a lush, woodland aesthetic; which are also a food source for
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — making it an excellent background plant in shaded garden areas or naturalized woodland settings; compound racemes in
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — white to greenish flowers in feathery racemes; coarse texture in the landscape.<br><br>Reaching an average height of 3
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — coarse texture in the landscape.<br><br>Reaching an average height of 3 to 5 feet with a similar spread; which are also
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — the American Spikenard presents a lush; providing both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — shade-tolerant herbaceous species that belongs to the Araliaceae family; coarse texture in the
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — which are also a food source for birds.<br><br>For optimal growth; coarse texture in the landscape.<br><br>Reaching an
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — Aralia racemosa requires moist; which are also a food source for birds.<br><br>For optimal growth
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — dark purple berries in the fall; compound racemes in summer
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — These blossoms are attractive to pollinators and give way to ornamental; providing both aesthetic appeal and ecological
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — which can grow up to 8 inches long; which are also a food source for birds.<br><br>For optimal growth
American Spikenard (Aralia Racemosa) — It is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9; coarse texture in the landscape.<br><br>Reaching an average height of 3 to 5 feet

Related plants

Variegated English Ivy (Hedera Helix 'Variegata') — Variegated English Ivy (Hedera helix 'Variegata') is a striking

Variegated English Ivy

Hedera Helix 'Variegata'

Full · Zones 4–9

Shannon English Ivy (Hedera Helix 'Shannon Variegata') — The Hedera helix 'Shannon Variegata' is a versatile English Ivy cultivar

Shannon English Ivy

Hedera Helix 'Shannon Variegata'

Full · Zones 4–9

Hahn's English Ivy (Hedera helix 'Hahn's') — evergreen climber renowned for its dense foliage and vigorous growth

Hahn's English Ivy

Hedera helix 'Hahn's'

Full · Zones 5–10

Needlepoint Ivy (Hedera helix) — or Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

Needlepoint Ivy

Hedera helix

Botanical Wonder (Fatshedera Lizei) — Fatshedera lizei, commonly known as Botanical Wonder, is a unique semi-evergreen intergeneric hybrid

Botanical Wonder

Fatshedera Lizei

Deep Shade · Zones 8–11

Japanese Angelica-Tree (Aralia Elata) — The Japanese Angelica-tree (Aralia elata) is a tall, deciduous shrub reaching heights of 20-40 feet

Japanese Angelica-Tree

Aralia Elata

Full · Zones 4–9