UTIA Plant of the Month: Golden Japanese Spikenard (“Sun King”)

The UT Institute of Agriculture is spotlighting the Golden Japanese Spikenard — also called the “Sun King” — as May’s Plant of the Month. Agriculture experts say the plant grows between three and four feet high, but can get larger in cooler parts of the country. By late summer the plant will have spikes of tiny white flowers that are followed by dark berries.

Photo courtesy of Monrovia

UTIA says the plant is perfect for any partially shaded border or woodland garden and looks good paired with dark-leaved plants. Growers say as long as the soil is kept moist the plant will survive in more sun, but does not need to get scorched. “Sun King” prefers soil that is fertile, organic, rich and moist.