Disporum cantoniense
Canton fairy bells
A clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial to 90cm tall or more, bearing lance-shaped leaves to 12cm long on arching stems. Tubular purplish-red, brownish-red or creamy-white flowers in clusters on short stalks in late spring and early summer, followed by dark-red berries in autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown Cream Purple Red White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Cream Purple Red White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Black Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Colchicaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Himalaya to Java
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in cool moist, well-drained humus-rich soil in a very sheltered shady position; protect with a dry winter mulch. Grow in a cool greenhouse in frost prone areas
Propagation
Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Divide in spring before or as growth begins
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Coastal
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
cut down old stems in late winter
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and vine weevil
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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