About
A tall, clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial, up to 3m high in ideal conditions, forming thickets of upright stems with glossy, deeply veined, lance-shaped green leaves, that are sometimes tinted purple when young. In late spring and early summer produces small clusters of pendent, creamy yellow-green flowers with protruding style and stamens, followed by berries that ripen to black in autumn.
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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous, Semi evergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in a cool, partially shaded position in a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Evergreen in mild, sheltered areas but may die back in colder winters
PruningRemove old stems before new growth emerges in spring
PropagationPropagate by division in early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, and to slugs and snails on young growth
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free