About

It produces dainty bell-shaped white to yellow flowers in late spring, followed by black-red berries. A clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial with tall, arching stems, and purple, glossy leaves which gradually turn to green throughout the season. A good plant for shady areas.

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 typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants

Care notes

CultivationGrows best in a cool, partially shaded position in a humus-rich, moist but well-drained acidic or neutral soil
PruningRemove old stems before new growth emerges in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails on young growth but generally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free