Aralia racemosa, American Spikenard, Quart pot

Aralia racemosa, American Spikenard

PS to Full Shade, Zone 3, Blooms July-August, 4’ x 3-4’, wet to medium, deer resistant

Due to it’s size American Spikenard could be confused for a shrub, but it is a large woodland, shade perennial. It dies back to the ground in winter and regrows in spring, ground up. Plant it carefully as the plant does not like to be moved. It is a tall, leafy perennial in the Ginseng family and related to Sarsaparilla. The thick roots are spicy and aromatic and were used in flavoring teas and drinks.

It blooms at a time when most woodland plants are finished and produces large panicles of showy flowers which are pollinated by bees. The resulting berries are inedible to humans they attract and feed the birds!