PLANT OF THE WEEK

FATSIA JAPONICA

The Japanese aralia is an elegant evergreen shrub with eye catching foliage. Its lush palmate leaves lend it a subtropical appearance, so it is very useful if you like exotic looking planting schemes. Good in sun or partial shade in most types of soil that are well drained. At this time of year there is the added bonus of its unusual panicles of creamy flowers that form globes at the end of the stems. These will remain on the plant for most of November before developing into black berries.