Kalopanax Septemlobus Maximowiczii or Tree Aralia

Kalopanax Septemlobus are small to mid-sized trees from Japan with some resemblance to Japanese Acers. This variety Maximowiczii is a small ornamental deciduous tree with good autumn colour and large flat heads of pollinator-friendly white flowers. It suits mixed borders and low-maintenance gardens.

Kalopanax Septemlobus Maximowiczii is native to Japan, China, Korea and Russia and it’s named after the Russian botanist Maximowicz who discovered it in the 19^th century. Better known as Castor Oil Tree or Tree Aralia Maximowiczii, this ornamental shrub has deeply lobed leaves with 5-7 fingers. Each leaf can reach up to 30 centimetres in length and gently drapes from a long, thin stem.
Foliage emerges in mixed greens, matures to deep green in the summer, and turns shades of red, orange and yellow in autumn before falling with the frosts.
Alongside its summer foliage, it produces large flat heads of tiny white flowers that are pollinator-friendly. In autumn its flowers mature into tiny black berries for the birds.

This is a good choice for low-maintenance wildlife-friendly gardens that need a boost of colour in spring through to autumn.

Height And Spread of Kalopanax Septemlobus Maximowiczii
Slow-growing Tree Aralia Maximowiczii can reach a height of 12 metres and spread over four metres in 20-50 years.

How Hardy Is Kalopanax Septemlobus Maximowiczii
This is a hardy tree in the UK if its roots are well-drained and it has some shelter from harsh drying winds.

How To Use Kalopanax Septemlobus Maximowiczii
Tree Aralia Maximowiczii is an excellent architectural tree and a pretty specimen for open lawns. It suits the back of a mixed border and low-maintenance woodland gardens.

How To Care For Kalopanax Septemlobus Maximowiczii
This is an easy-grow tree that enjoys moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Like acers, it’s at its best sheltered by taller trees.
Most soils are suitable if they’re well drained including chalk and sand. A thick application of well-rotted organic mulch in spring will boost soil nutrients and encourage lots of flowers.
Pruning isn’t required and it may spoil its shape, so it’s best to only remove broken or crossed branches after flowering has finished. Water it well until established and you can see new growth beginning to emerge.