Aralia continentalis aka Manchurian Spikenard

Aralia continentalis is also called Manchurian spikenard. It is a perennial, a plant that lives for years. It belongs to the Araliaceae family. Its native range covers the southern Russian Far East, China and Korea. It grows in temperate regions, but is not native to Britain or Ireland. The plant grows upright. Plants For A Future gives a height of about 6.6 feet [2 metres]. The sources do not say how wide mature plants grow.

White flowers bloom from July to August. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees pollinate the flowers. The summer flowers add interest to gardens in shade. Chicago Botanic Garden lists uses in beds and borders. It also lists screens and hedges. Plants For A Future suggests woodland gardens and shaded edges. The species accounts give no clear details about leaves, stems or fruit.

Choose a site with shelter and partial or full shade. Plants For A Future favours deep loam with a fair level of nutrients. Soil should stay moist but let excess water drain away. Both garden sources support the need for moist soil. The plant can grow in sand or clay too. It accepts slightly acid, neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Poor soil also suits it and may help it withstand cold.

Chicago Botanic Garden lists this species for USDA zone 8. Plants For A Future says it tolerates about −5 to −10°C. That source warns that colder districts may not suit it. Frost can harm new spring growth, even on mature plants. Choose a site shielded from early morning sun. Grow new plants from seed or root cuttings. You can also divide suckers to make new plants. Stored seed needs three to five months of cold treatment. Protect young plants grown from seed through their first winter.

Plants For A Future gives this species a modest edible rating. But its detailed food notes refer to the related Aralia cordata. Those uses do not show which parts of this species are safe to eat. The same source lists no known hazards. That does not prove the plant is safe. It lists no known uses as medicine or for other purposes. It also records no weed potential. The supplied evidence names no specific pests or diseases. These gaps do not prove that problems never occur.