fairy bells
Disporum cantoniense 'Night Heron'
Overview
Fairy bells (Disporum cantoniense 'Night Heron') is an amazing plant species due to its unique beauty and hardiness. It features intricate, dainty green and white bell-shaped blooms that add a charmingly delicate touch to any garden. This hardy groundcover is also quite shade-tolerant and easy to maintain. The leaves emerge in a bright green hue and age to an attractive deep green with purple veins and silver markings, making for captivating foliage. As beautiful as it is, it also grows fast, and is extremely adaptable – a true survivor. Its dark burgundy stems provide contrast to its ambient green foliage and adds another stunning detail in the landscape.
Care Guide
Watering
Fairy bells (Disporum cantoniense 'Night Heron') prefer a moist, well-draining soil. Water regularly during the growing season, making sure not to let the soil dry out completely in between waterings. Reduce frequency of watering during the winter, when the plant is not actively growing. A good rule of thumb is to water the plant once every week to 10 days in the spring and summer months, and once every 3 to 4 weeks in the winter. Make sure to check the soil in the top 2-3 inches before watering as this will give the best indication as to when the plant needs to be watered.
Light
Fairy bells are best grown in part to full sun. Plants in full light exposure will flower more heavily and the foliage may be more vibrant. When planted in part sun, plants may take on more of a mounding habit with slightly less flowering. The best exposure for this species is 4 to 6 hours of direct sun each day.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 5–10.
Pruning
Fairy bells (Disporum cantoniense 'Night Heron') need to be lightly pruned in the spring once new growth is shown. Prune back 1/3 of the longest shoots to help control the size, and encourage new growth. Pruning can also be done in the late winter or early winter before any new growth has begun. Light pruning should be done during the summer to remove damaged or diseased stems, and any unwanted growth.
Propagation
Division, Cutting, Seed Propagation, Layering Propagation
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