PerennialsKirengeshoma palmata
Yellow Wax Bells
Yellow wax bells is an elegant shade plant with palmate, maple-like leaves and pendulous, waxy yellow bell-shaped flowers appearing in August and September. The graceful, arching stems give this rare plant a particularly refined appearance.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Partial shade
- Water
- Medium
- Height
- 80–120 cm
- Spread
- 60–80 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 5–8
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- yellow
- Wildlife value
- bees
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in partial shade in acidic to neutral, humus-rich soil that stays moist. Protect from midday sun and drying winds. Mulch annually with leaf compost. Feed lightly with an ericaceous fertiliser.
Pruning tips
Remove spent flowers if you do not want seed formation. Cut back dead stems in late autumn. The plant grows slowly and requires very little pruning.
Good companions
PerennialsHosta sieboldiana
Hosta
Hosta is the quintessential shade plant, valued for its large, blue-green, ribbed leaves. Light purple or white bell-shaped flowers appear on tall stems in July and August. Over the years the plant forms substantial clumps that give a shaded border a lush character.
FernsPolystichum setiferum
Soft Shield Fern
The soft shield fern is an elegant, evergreen fern with finely divided, soft green fronds that arch gracefully outwards. The plant forms a beautiful rosette and fits perfectly in shady borders and woodland gardens. Mature specimens can reach up to 120 centimetres across.
PerennialsHelleborus orientalis
Lenten Rose
The Lenten Rose is one of the first bloomers of the garden year, with saucer-shaped flowers in purple, pink or white appearing as early as February. The evergreen, palmate foliage forms attractive clumps that remain decorative year-round. The plant is a valuable early nectar source for bees.