Paris polyphylla

RHS Plant Profile

many-leaved paris

Synonyms

Daiswa polyphylla

Herbaceous Perennial

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A tender, deciduous herbaceous perennial for deep shade. Leaves in whorled groups of five to nine appear in spring, followed by flowers made up of leafy-looking green sections, topped by fine thin yellow wisps. Clusters of red berries follow.

Position

Full shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Melanthiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming, Spreading branched
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: A genus of 24 species of flowering herbaceous plants mainly found in woodland areas of Asia and Europe. They produce spider-like flowers with long, thread-like petals which sit in the centre of a terminal whorl of green foliage
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Himalaya to C China & N Myanmar

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers full shade, but would tolerate partial shade. Needs a rich soil with plenty of organic matter. Protect new shoots from frost; they come up very early in spring

Propagation

Propagate by division, in early spring, just as shoots appear. It is also possible to propagate by seed, but germination may take up to three years

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Ground cover

Pruning

Cut back old foliage in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free