Disporum (commonly known as fairy bells) is a genus of about 20 species of perennial flowering plants, found in Asia from northern India to Japan, south to Indonesia and north into the Russian Far East.

May 28, 2011 · Disporum, commonly called fairy bells, is a group of woodland flowers that are perhaps not so well known by the average gardener. They do not have flamboyant flowers; theirs is a more subtle affair with small start-shaped or bell-like flowers.

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.

Regarded as some of the most handsome shade-loving woodland species, Disporum (Fairy Bells) are rhizomatous perennials with alternate leaves on sparsely branched stems, and single or small clusters of nodding bell-shaped flowers in spring or early summer, followed by berries.

Disporum flavens, commonly called fairy bells is native to Korea. It is a rhizomatous perennial that typically grows in a slowly creeping clump to 30” tall.

Disporum cantoniense, commonly known as Canton fairy bells, is a clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial that typically grows to 3-5' tall on bamboo-like stems clad with lanceolate leaves (2-6” long). It is native to forests and thickets from Nepal to central and southern China south into Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

Disporum flavens (Yellow Fairy Bells) is a clump-forming, upright, rhizomatous perennial with arching stems clothed with dark green, lance-shaped leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm). In spring, small clusters of 1-3 bell-shaped, bright yellow flowers unroll with the leaves and dangle at the stem ends for a showy display.

Disporum cantoniense (Chinese Fairy Bells) is a clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial with arching, bamboo-like stems clothed with lance-shaped, shiny, bright green leaves, 5 in. long (12 cm). In late spring and early summer, bell-shaped flowers in shades of creamy-white or reddish-purple dangle at the stem ends.

Disporum longistyllum adds a nice vertical element to a perennial border, evoking the feel of bamboo. Pairs beautifully with Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa), which blooms at a similar time with flowers of a similar hue. Use to add a tropical look to a dappled shade garden, placed where its exceptional seasonal qualities can be witnessed up-close.

Mar 9, 2022 · Disporum sessile carpets low-elevation woods in Taiwan, Japan, Korea (Cheju and Ullung islands), and Russia (S Kurile Islands and S Sakhalin). It grows to 15-60 cm (6-24"). Pictured in Japan by Mari Kitama in photo 1.