Outstanding Qualities The pure, clear, creamy white variegation of variegated five-leaf aralia makes it sparkle in the garden. Its leaves are divided into five leaflets, attached like fingers in a hand and creating a fine-textured, airy effect. This deciduous shrub is extremely tough and hardy. It tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, including difficult city conditions, such as poor soils and heavy pollution. Adaptable in growing habit as well cultural requirements, it can be sheared to make a colorful hedge. Short spines at each leaf bud along the stems add to the barrier protection of the hedge, but they are not large enough to be problematic during routine maintenance. Left to grow freely it forms a shrub to about 6 or 7 feet tall and about equal in spread. Plant this shrub (often listed and sold under its old name Acanthopanax sieboldianus ‘Variegatus‘) in shady spots where its bright foliage shines. It looks good with black mondo grass and other plants with dark foliage.
Culture Variegated five-leaf aralia is easy to grow and adapts to a wide range of garden conditions and soils. It grows best in full shade to part sun. Keep it out of the hot afternoon sun or the variegated parts of the leaves may burn. Once established it only needs occasional watering. It is one of the few plants that can tolerate a relatively dry shady spot. Little pruning is needed, but it can look a little awkward in youth and a light pruning of the branch tips will help thicken the shrub. If you are growing it as a hedge, set plants 4 feet on center and shear in late June with a light touch up in August.
Growing Habit This slow-growing, deciduous shrub naturally forms a somewhat irregular mound to about 6 to 7 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness USDA zones 5 to 8


note: I have this plant growing in zone 4. It's beautiful in the afternoon sun and lights up the garden.