Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'
Family - Araliaceae
Category - Shrub
Discovered By - Introduced by Mr. T. Stephens, plantsman and nurseryman.
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H5
Height - 1m or more
Width - 1m or more
Location - The Stumpery
Description: Small, Evergreen Shrub with an overall rounded habit and upright branches bearing large, variegated leaves. The leaves are palmately lobed and dark green but heavily marked with white speckles to the point where the foliage looks as though it has been covered in fine webbing. The variegation is more pronounced in deep shade. Older plants will produce creamy white, star-shaped flowers in umbels from mid to late autumn. Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web' is slow-growing.
Introduced to Western cultivation by Ted Stephens of Nurseries Caroliniana in South Carolina, USA.
Flower:
Small, creamy white, star-shaped flowers are produced in spherical umbels. The umbels are held on branched, creamy white stems from October through November. The stems and umbels are covered in tawny-brown indumentum before fully extended. The flowers are followed by round berries that ripen to black in February to March.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Star-shaped flowers in umbels
Flowering time: October, November
Foliage:
Large, palmately lobed, dark green leaves are heavily speckled with white markings. The variegation is lost in a sunny position and best in deep shade. The leaves are Alternately arranged on the upright stems.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Palmately lobed
Propagation:
Cuttings.
Cultivation:
Best in a sheltered position in partial to deep shade. Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web' prefers fertile soil that is moisture-retentive, but well-drained.