Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Steroidal Giant’

Want to create a Jurassic giant Dinosaur garden? This is THE plant to create a dramatic tropical effect. Though it looks tropical, it’s very hardy. The ginormous leaves are like large umbrellas and give you the feeling you’re in Jurassic park with a Brontosaurus lurking around the corner. Each leaf can reach over 3ft! Also known as rice paper plant. It’s a large evergreen shrub in warm areas zone 9-10 in zones 7-8 it may die back, but will rapidly regrow in the Spring. Some report that it regrows with heavy mulch in zone 6. Not to worry… as its name suggests its growth is steroidal. Here in the Pacific NW the large leaves take on orange and coppery- red tones in November and hold on till late December. Tetrapanax ‘Steroidal Giant’ will slowly spread by underground roots to create colonies. If roots are disturbed it will spread faster. This can be delightful in the right setting, but a nuisance if not sited properly. I’m planning a large raised bed to contain it. Another idea would be bamboo rhizome containment fabric. Thanks go to plantsman Roger Warner and Cistus Nursery for gifting us all with this fabulous plant. Zone 7-10 About 15’ tall