Disporum megalanthum

Disporum megalanthum is a unique and graceful Chinese perennial, similar to Solomon's Seal.  It first forms young and powerful shoots of a burgundy red shade that unfold into a clump of shiny leaves.  Then it is adorned with numerous cream-white bell-shaped flowers of beautiful size, followed by small decorative black berries. This particularly hardy species does not keep its foliage in winter. It is easily grown in humus-rich and moist soil, but well-drained, typically a woodland soil. A beautiful plant for shaded borders, which also adapts well in a pot on a shaded terrace or balcony.

Disporum megalanthum belongs to the family Colchicaceae according to classifications, originating from the forests of central China. It is a deciduous perennial with a creeping rhizome but without stolons, spreading over time without becoming invasive.

This plant produces quite spectacular young shoots, upright and arched, of dark red colour, which unfold into slightly branched stems that are both erect and trailing. It will form a clump with a flexible habit of about 60 cm (24in) in height, occupying at least 40 cm (16in) in area. The foliage consists of alternate leaves, measuring 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5in) in length and 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) in width, strongly lanceolate, elongated, with marked parallel veins. The lamina is dark green in colour, very shiny. Flowering takes place in May-June, in the form of slightly open tubular flowers, measuring 3 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) in length, pure white to cream white in colour, gathered in trailing clusters, arising from the terminal part of the stems or in the axils of the leaves. It is followed by spherical blue-black fruits, measuring 8 to 10 mm (1in) in diameter.

Disporum megalanthum is one of the easiest to grow in the genus, in shade and in soil that is not too dry, preferably non-calcareous. It will therefore appreciate the coolest areas of the garden, to which it will bring an exotic and graceful touch. It is easily grown in pots, which allows it to be associated on the patio with other larger plants that will provide the shade it seeks. This plant that requires little care and withstands the competition of tree and shrub roots, does not tolerate any drought. It can be planted in woodland or dappled sunlight (introduce several plants in a small area), to accompany the spring flowering of Magnolias, Rhododendrons, Pieris, Camellias, and other Hydrangeas. In these borders at the base of shrubs, for example, accompany it with Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost', tulips 'Spring Green', and golden yellow ranunculus. Superb in a flowering pot, associate it with blue squills that will take over, place it under Fatsias, Papyrus, Colocasias...