Fabulous Fatsia Shrubs

Strong architectural foliage makes Fatsia japonica a superb evergreen shrub for patio or townhouse gardens, where every plant is subject to such close scrutiny.

Credit: Barbra Fairclough

Hardy to zone 8, this fatsia’s bold maple-shaped leaves serve to fill a corner and soften the lines of a wall or fence, while the sheltered situations of these smaller gardens – offering filtered light and protection from wind – will keep fatsias looking their best.

Don’t forget to provide plenty of all-purpose fertilizer and water to encourage a lush appearance. A relative of ivy, fatsia has similar white umbels that look dramatic in late summer, but it is its dramatic foliage that makes this plant noteworthy.