{"product_id":"fatsia-polycarpa-needhams","title":"Fatsia polycarpa ‘Needhams’","description":"\u003ch2\u003eFatsia polycarpa ‘Needhams’\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to inject instant, architectural drama into a shady spot, \u003ci\u003eFatsia polycarpa\u003c\/i\u003e is already a heavyweight champion. But this particular form kicks the exotic factor up another notch. While the standard \u003ci\u003eFatsia japonica\u003c\/i\u003e gives you big, bold, leathery paddles, \u003ci\u003epolycarpa\u003c\/i\u003e offers a much more refined, lace-like canopy. This ‘Needhams’ form is an absolute showstopper, boasting deeply divided, slender fingers that create an incredible textural contrast against chunkier broadleaf exotics like your \u003ci\u003eMusa\u003c\/i\u003e or \u003ci\u003eColocasia\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Note on the Name \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe source far and wide to bring the best genetics to the nursery, and this specific batch came to us from a Dutch wholesale supplier under the label ‘Needhams’ (a nod to the legendary Cornish plantsman Edward Needham). We’re always a little cautious when commercial European growers use highly specific cultivar names.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the plants physically back it up. Having assessed them on the nursery, the foliage is undeniably more deeply cut and the lobes are noticeably thinner than the standard \u003ci\u003eFatsia polycarpa\u003c\/i\u003e ‘Green Fingers’. Whether this is a direct clone of Needham’s original collection or simply a spectacularly refined seed-grown form, it is an exceptional plant that more than earns its spot in the jungle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_75fef60df170c7d1-24\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-29 citation-end-29\"\u003eEvergreen, deeply lobed, matte-green palmate leaves with incredibly fine, slender \"fingers\".\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_75fef60df170c7d1-25\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinter Interest:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-28 citation-end-28\"\u003eProduces spherical clusters of creamy-white, starburst-like flowers in late autumn to early winter, followed by black berries in the spring.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStructure:\u003c\/b\u003e Naturally forms a statuesque, multi-stemmed architectural shrub over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare \u0026amp; Cultivation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLight:\u003c\/b\u003e Thrives in dappled or partial shade. Too much direct, harsh sun can yellow the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_75fef60df170c7d1-26\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil:\u003c\/b\u003e Prefers rich, moist, but well-draining soil. \u003cspan class=\"citation-27 citation-end-27\"\u003eAvoid letting the roots sit in heavy winter wet.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_75fef60df170c7d1-27\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eShelter:\u003c\/b\u003e This is crucial. \u003cspan class=\"citation-26 citation-end-26\"\u003eWhile the plant is hardy for most of the UK once established, those stunning, delicate leaves will easily tear and burn in harsh, drying winds.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Tuck it against a sheltered wall, under a tree canopy, or in a protected courtyard. \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_75fef60df170c7d1-28\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-25 citation-end-25\"\u003eHardy in a sheltered spot, though young plants may benefit from a bit of fleece protection during their first few severe frosts.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Jungle in a Box","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56863352390018,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/2274\/2338\/files\/E14B106A-1FE8-4E3D-A5CB-8557771F78D1.jpg?v=1787342664","url":"https:\/\/www.jungleinabox.co.uk\/products\/fatsia-polycarpa-needhams","provider":"Jungle in a Box","version":"1.0","type":"link"}