Mystery Solved

On my May 2008 visit to Seattle, I saw quite a few plants that I could not identify. Seattle is in Zone 8 and has a range of vegetation that includes many plants we won't see in the Northeast unless global warming changes our climate a bit more. This plant was growing next to the breezeway at the house Audrey and Peter were renting. Audrey called a few days ago to say she found out it is a Fatsia Japonica. The umbels of black berries are very striking and according to plant references are preceded by umbels of white flowers. The large, glossy leaves and the size of the shrub make it a showy item indeed in the Northwest garden.

--Bernice