'Sun King' Golden Japanese Spikenard Aralia cordata

I bought four. Planted all on same shady side of my house. I love the plants and their color. They are growing well. BUT something is eating these plants like crazy. They look terrible. Deer are normally the biggest problem in my yard, not insects. So far, deer are leaving them alone but pests are not. I have sprayed and sprayed but no improvement. Of all the plants I grow, this is the ONLY one with a pest problem. Any suggestions? I have no idea what's eating them. Just LOTS of tiny holes. If spring doesn't look any better, I'll have to get rid of them.

We have 5 of these throughout our garden. They are beautiful but this is year 3 and they are massive. I want to shape and prune does anyone have suggestions for proper pruning. They are hiding my hydrangeas!

This is a beautiful plant! It's is my first time planting it and I already want more in my garden! I planted it in a blue ceramic pot and the contrast of the bright green plant against the blue pot is stunning! It has filled out to a really nice, full shape. I have it under a tree and it gets dappled sun, which it seems to love in the CA heat.

Bought three of these “Sun King” golden japanese spikenard. I agree with other reviewers. It grows best in shade. Planted three in the same area (triangle between two outbuildings. Two got morning sun and shade most of the remainder of the day. One happened to get hit by more afternoon sun due to where the ornamental pear tree shade fell. This one seemed to die off with crumpled brown leaves but as heatwave passed, new growth did come back. However, this plant is absolutely not deer proof. It’s not their first pick, I’ll say that but they did mow down all three early in the season until their preferred salad bar options filled out. Deer are literally my enemy and I can assure you almost nothing worth having is immune to deer. A hungry deer will eat almost anything. Even my new hydrangeas got wrecked when they got desperate. Literally the best thing I found to keep deer away is making a spray of water, red chili pepper flakes and 1-2 tsp unscented Dr Bronners soap. I kept the deer away for two months on my most important plants by spraying this on them almost every night. Seriously pain but being able to enjoy my beautiful yard for two straight months was worth it.

Added this beauty late last summer and it’s filling out ever so nicely. It’s shape is wonderful, adding a pleasing esthetic. The chartreuse color pops in front of the dark green vine-covered brick wall. This plant draws the eye .. am ever so pleased.