It has taken years for this ‘Spider’s Web’ Fatsia japonica to look this healthy. I pulled it out a few feet from the corner to give it more room and rain.
I guess that was a good call. I am fascinated by varieagated leaves. Each leaf has its own pattern of white.
This Fatsia finally looks happy.
I have put the brakes on acquiring new plants this summer.
But sometimes I cannot help myself.
I have this fascination with variegation.
When I spotted this ‘Spider’s Web’ Fatsia japonica, I snatched it up.
Despite the fact it will get much larger and need protection if planted outside in Zone 7.
All I could see was those leaves! Each is a different work of art.
The variegation changes as the leaves age.
It is evergreen, produces white ball blooms in the fall and makes black berries.
How could I resist?
FLOW
I love plants with variegated leaves.
That means that the leaves have patches that are not green.
The non-green parts can be white, yellow or other colors.
The point is that the non-green parts lack chlorophyll.
That means that an all white leaf makes no food of its own.
Therefore, all white leaves are parasites on the rest of the plant’s resources.
When this occurs, the pure white parts should be removed.
FLOWHITE
floweralley 