Disporum sessile f. macrophyllum BSWJ 4316

Japanese Fairy Bells Colchicaceae

A particularly robust form of Japanese fairy bells, Disporum sessile f. macrophyllum BSWJ 4316 makes a handsome, spreading clump of upright stems carrying large, rounded-elliptic leaves to an impressive 16 × 9.5cm. In spring, terminal clusters of pendulous, green-flushed white bells appear above the foliage, each flower reaching around 4cm long.

BSWJ 4316 was collected by Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones on the remote Korean island of Ulleungdo, where the species occurs in cool woodland conditions. It is a notably robust form, reflecting its origin in one of Korea’s more isolated and climatically distinctive islands. 

The species has a broad East Asian distribution, occurring from southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands through Japan and Korea, including Jeju-do and Ulleungdo.  In cultivation, this collection is best given moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in light to full shade, where it makes an excellent spreading woodland groundcover. 

A choice collection for the woodland garden, with unusually substantial foliage and flowers for the species. Taxonomically, f. macrophyllum is currently treated as a form of D. sessile rather than a separate taxon. 

Collection: BSWJ 4316 — Bleddyn & Sue Wynn-Jones, Ulleungdo, South Korea
Distribution: Southern Sakhalin, Kuril Islands, Japan & Korea
Flowering: April–June
Growing conditions: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil; light to full shade
Hardiness: H5 — approximately -15 to -10°C
Height: 40–60cm
Spread: 50–80cm