The exotic Rice Paper plant (Tetrapanax papyriferus) can create a striking oriental effect in any garden. A fast-growing evergreen 3-4 m in height and 2-3 m in width, it usually sends up several stems from the best these vary in height and tend to lean or curve at angels, giving the tree an unusual and luxuriant appearance. Giant, fan-shaped, heavily toothed leaves, dark green above and white-felted underneath radiate on long stalks from tops of stems. In winter the plant is enhanced by cream-colored flowers produced in rounded heads on stiffly branched sprays. Very easily grown, the Rice Paper plant does well in the most soils and in temperate to sub-tropical districts. Read more »