Overview
Disporum 'Night Heron' is a plant with a clump forming, columnar upright habit in the genus Disporum, part of the Colchicaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Disporum 'Night Heron' grows best in partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, underplanting of roses and shrubs and banks and slopes.
About
Disporum 'Night Heron' is a clump-forming, columnar upright perennial in the Colchicaceae, valued for its flowering from May to July. It carries deciduous foliage and performs best in partial shade on moist but well-drained soils. Plant in a sheltered spot and choose north-, east- or west-facing positions to suit its needs. It is rated H6, equivalent to very hardy in UK conditions.
About the genus
Disporum is a genus of about 20 species of perennial flowering plants, found in Asia from northern India to Japan, south to Indonesia and north into the Russian Far East.
Wikipedia contributors, "Disporum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Disporum
In the garden
A member of the genus Disporum and placed in the Colchicaceae, Disporum 'Night Heron' forms upright, columnar clumps of seasonal foliage and produces its flowers from May to July. The plant is deciduous and will die back after the growing season. It prefers partial shade and benefits from a sheltered situation away from exposed winds. Soil is flexible: clay, loam or sand are all acceptable provided the soil remains moist but well drained; the plant tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline pH. Position it on north-, east- or west-facing aspects where root moisture can be maintained without waterlogging. Mulch in spring to conserve moisture and protect early growth. Use Disporum 'Night Heron' where a vertical, clump-forming perennial is required: it suits cottage and informal beds, banks and slopes, and is effective as underplanting for roses and larger shrubs. Allow the clump to establish and resist frequent disturbance so the columnar habit can develop and support the flowering display between May and July.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Disporum
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Disporum 'Night Heron' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Underplanting of roses and shrubs, Banks and slopes
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Disporum 'Night Heron'
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Slug, Snail, Vine weevil
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Disporum 'Night Heron'?
Disporum 'Night Heron' prefers partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Disporum 'Night Heron' need?
Disporum 'Night Heron' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Disporum 'Night Heron' hardy in the UK?
Disporum 'Night Heron' has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Disporum 'Night Heron'?
Seed, Division.
More in the Disporum genus
- Disporum sessilesessile fairy bells
- Disporum sessile 'Variegatum'Fairy Bells
- Disporum pullumFairy Bells