About
Kirengeshoma palmata, the yellow wax-bells, is a clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial to 1.2 m with palmately lobed leaves on dark-maroon stems and branched sprays of nodding, fleshy, creamy-yellow, narrowly bell-shaped flowers 3.5 cm long in late summer and autumn. A beautiful and architectural plant for a moist, sheltered, partly shaded border.
About the genus
Kirengeshoma are rhizomatous perennials from Japan and Korea with large, palmately lobed, maple-like leaves and branched sprays of nodding, fleshy, pale-yellow, tubular bell-shaped flowers in late summer and autumn. Grown in moist, sheltered, partly shaded borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toSE China, Japan, Korea
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, lime-free soil enriched with leaf mould. Prefers partial shade but tolerates denser shade; shelter from cold winds
PruningOld flower stems can be cut down after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in spring (germination may be erratic). Propagate by division as growth begins in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free