Plant Library

perennial

Japanese Fairy Bells

Disporum sessile

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Japanese Fairy Bells (Disporum sessile) at Pesche's Garden Center

Japanese Fairy Bells foliage

Japanese Fairy Bells foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  24 inches

Spread:  3 feet

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4b

Description:

This plant produces pendulous tubular bells, that become more showy as the clump matures; attractive lance-shaped sessile foliage resembles solomon's seal or bamboo

Ornamental Features

Japanese Fairy Bells features showy white bell-shaped flowers dangling from the stems from early to mid spring. Its narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Japanese Fairy Bells is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Spreading

Japanese Fairy Bells is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Japanese Fairy Bells will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Massing  Edging  Garden  Naturalizing 
Applications
Flowers 
Ornamental Features