Fatsia japonica Murakumo Nishiki Crete sits atop a nicely mottled

sits atop a nicely mottled 1-2' tall petiole (stalk)

it's still one of the most showstopping hostas in our garden

Climbing aster is amazingly drought tolerant

Ever thought about having a "gin and tonic" in your garden

From Zone 7 south

Fatsia japonica Murakumo Nishiki Crete sits atop a nicely mottled(aka: Camouflage Fatsia) Fatsia japonica 'Murakumo Nishiki', which means "gathering clouds brocade," is a fabulous selection of the Japanese tree ivy that boasts deeply cut, 18" long, tropical looking foliage, patterned yellow gold with irregular dark green borders. In 15 years, you can expect a 7' tall, irregularly branched specimen. In late fall, the clumps are topped with terminally borne pendent spikes of alien antennae like flower spikes. Pretty