About

A herbaceous perennial with arching, spreading stems and wavy, mid-green leaves boldly splashed and streaked with cream. Clusters of small, off-white, bell-shaped flowers appear along the stems in spring.

About the genus

Disporum are rhizomatous perennials with alternate leaves on sparsely branched stems, and solitary or clustered, nodding bell-shaped flowers in the leaf axils, followed by berries

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants

Care notes

CultivationGrow in cool, moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil in a very sheltered, shady position; protect with a dry winter mulch. Grow in a cool greenhouse in frost-prone areas
PruningCut down old stems in late winter
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and vine weevil
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free