Skip to content

Shop

Donate

Donate Shop Plant Database Contact Blog

Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

American Spikenard

Aralia racemosa
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Cliff, Forest
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color: White
Fall Color:

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

American Spikenard by Mervin Wallace
Photo: Mervin Wallace. Scroll down to see more photos of this plant.
Sun Exposure 
Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects, Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Food/Birds
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size

Height:

36 to
48
inches

Spread:

36 to
48
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
48
inches
Spread: 36 to
48
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
48
inches
Spread: 36 to
48
inches
Typical Landscape Use
In shady spots near built structures; appropriate for larger containers. Also for wildlife habitat gardens or as a focal point in a woodland garden.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Ideally, plant in fertile moist but well-drained soil. Spreads slowly, eventually forming thickets.
Special Features
Ornamental Fruits / Seed Pods / Seed Heads
Special Usage
Containers
Basic Description

Bushy plant with near heart-shaped leaves and tiny greenish-white summer flowers on panicles; flowers are followed by hanging clusters of showy fall fruits that ripen to purplish-black and are eaten by birds. Borne on soft stems, the leaves move in the breeze.

American Spikenard can be grown in a container, as well as columbine and Christmas fern, also pictured. Photo credit: Carol Davit.

 

Where Should I Start?

Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.

Narrow It Down!

What’s the Next Step?

Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!

Connect

Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

Learn
Support the Grow Native! Program
Donate Now