{"product_id":"sun-king-aralia","title":"Sun King Aralia","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAward-Winning Gold Foliage That Lights Up the Shade\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eSun King Aralia (\u003cem\u003eAralia cordata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Sun King') was named Perennial Plant of the Year, and one look explains why: it forms a bold, shrub-sized mound of brilliant golden-yellow foliage that brings sunshine to shady corners where bright color is hard to find. Spikes of tiny white flowers rise above the leaves in summer, followed by dark berries that birds enjoy, and the whole plant dies back to overwinter as a hardy perennial. Deer-resistant and dramatic, it's a showpiece for part-shade beds in Edina, Maple Grove, and Woodbury.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAralia cordata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Sun King'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 ft tall and wide (up to 6 ft in rich shade)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4–9 (hardy across most of Minnesota)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade (a few hours of morning sun deepens the gold)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSummer (white flower spikes)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrilliant golden-yellow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRich, moist, well-drained\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse Sun King as a specimen or bold accent in shaded borders and woodland gardens, where its gold foliage brightens dark spots and contrasts with greens and burgundies. It pairs beautifully with hostas, ferns, and dark-leaved plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring or early fall, when cooler weather and steady moisture help roots establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill with compost-enriched soil, water thoroughly, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Give it room to reach its full, shrubby size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWatering\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the soil consistently moist, watering 2–3 times per week.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter Year One:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly, especially in heat; it prefers rich, evenly moist soil.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrip Irrigation:\u003c\/strong\u003e A soaker hose or drip line keeps the root zone evenly moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much sun does it need for the gold color?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA few hours of morning sun deepens the gold; in deep shade the foliage shifts toward chartreuse-green.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it come back as a perennial?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it dies back in winter and re-emerges each spring as a hardy perennial.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it hardy in Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, hardy to Zone 4 and reliable across most of the state.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, deer tend to leave it alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePair Sun King with hostas, ferns, and dark-leaved shade plants for a bold, high-contrast woodland border.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54315415208241,"sku":null,"price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/sun-king-aralia.jpg?v=1779864869","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/sun-king-aralia","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}