Fairy Bell Disporum
Previously known as:
- Drapiezia
- Phonetic Spelling
- dis-POR-um
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Disporum is a genus of about 20 plants that are native to southern and eastern Asia in higher elevations. They are both clumping and rhizomatous types that have drooping bell-shaped flowers at the end of the stems that attract butterflies. They will grow up to 3 feet tall with arching stems and attractive green leaves. Some varieties spread quickly by rhizomes so leave remove for them to spread. They can be divided to control the size and do their best in cool summer areas.
Use disporum in the woodland garden or in part shade to shady borders. Some varieties can be used as ground cover. They need fertile, moist, well-drained soil and can be slow to start. Be sure and provide plenty of water, especially during the first year and then during dry spells.
The US native species that were originally included in this genus are now placed in the genus Prosartes.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Part Sun-Part Shade Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Disporum cantoniense
3-5 feet tall - Disporum flavens
Yellow Fairy Bells - Disporum longistylum
Purple bamboo-like stems - Disporum sessile
2-3 feet tall
- Disporum cantoniense
- Disporum cantoniense, Disporum flavens, Disporum longistylum, Disporum sessile
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Disporum cantoniense
3-5 feet tall - Disporum flavens
Yellow Fairy Bells - Disporum longistylum
Purple bamboo-like stems - Disporum sessile
2-3 feet tall
- Disporum cantoniense
- Disporum cantoniense, Disporum flavens, Disporum longistylum, Disporum sessile
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Disporum
- Family:
- Colchicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Russia to Indo-China
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 4 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Green berries appear in fall and mature to red or purple
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The large drooping bell-shaped flowers have 6 sepals and 6 stamens. They occur in groups or solitary at the end of branches in the spring. They are generally white or yellow.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves are linear to lance-shaped with 3-7 veins and 2-6 inches long. They may or may not have a stem. May have yellow fall color. There are also varieties with variegated leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Forked branches
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. None known, but suspected due to its relationship with other toxic plants. Poison Part: Berries suspected due to its relationship with other toxic plants in the Lily family. Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Unknown
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
