Chloranthus serratus

Chloranthus Chloranthaceae

A quietly exotic woodland perennial, Chloranthus serratus is the Japanese Futari-shizuka, or “Two Person Quiet”, named for its characteristic pair of slender white flower spikes. It forms upright stems clothed with handsome, broad, serrated leaves, emerging from a short rhizome and gradually making an elegant colony. Native from southern China and Vietnam through Korea and the Kuril Islands to central and southern Japan, it grows naturally on the floors of cool, moist mountain woodland.

Give it humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in partial to full shade, avoiding prolonged drought. A refined plant for the naturalistic woodland garden, particularly good beneath deciduous trees.

Height: 30–60cm.

Spread: 30–45cm.

Flowers: April–June.

Hardiness: H4, (–10 to –5°C)