Disporum cantoniense Green Giant

Disporum cantonense Green Giant is one of the most vigorous among this group of Asian plants found in fresh undergrowth close to the Solomon's seals, poetically called Fairy Bells. Luxuriant and more or less evergreen in winter, it brings life to shaded and slightly damp areas of the garden all year round. First, with its beautiful shiny foliage and its young shoots resembling those of bamboo, then with its spring flowering in the form of pendulous white-green bell-shaped flowers, and finally with its small decorative berries, a very dark blue-black. This variety is easily cultivated in humus-rich and always moist, but well-drained soil, typically in woodland conditions. It is perfect with acid-loving plants and also adapts well in a pot on a shaded patio or balcony.

Disporum cantonense Green Giant belongs to the Colchicaceae family. Its presumed ancestor, the Canton Disporum, is native to Chinese forests, Taiwan, India, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam, where it grows at altitudes ranging from 700 to 3,000 meters (766 to 3,281 yards). It is a perennial plant with a trailing rhizome, spreading over time without becoming invasive. According to specialists, the 'Green Giant' cultivar does not possess the characteristics of its supposed parent.

This evergreen plant can withstand temperatures as low as -12°C (10.4°F) and produces quite spectacular young shoots, which grow into erect and trailing, branching stems. It forms a tangled tuft about 1 metre (3 feet) high, occupying at least 60 cm (24in) of ground. The foliage consists of alternate leaves, measuring 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5in) long and 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) wide, strongly lanceolate, elongated, with prominent parallel veins. The leaves are a bright green colour and shiny. Flowering takes place in May-June, in the form of slightly open tubular flowers, 1 to 2 cm (1in) long, white tinged with green, arranged in pendant clusters of 3 to 10 units, appearing at the terminal part of the stems or in the axils of the leaves. It is followed by spherical, dark blue-black fruits, measuring 8 to 10 mm (1in) in diameter.

Disporum cantonense Green Giant is undoubtedly the most robust and easiest to cultivate in its genus, in shade and in moist, non-calcareous soil. It will appreciate the coolest areas of the garden, adding an exotic and graceful touch. It is easily grown in pots, allowing it to be combined on the terrace with larger plants that provide the shade it seeks. This plant, which requires little care and tolerates competition from the roots of trees and shrubs, and cannot tolerate any drought. It can be planted in woodland or dappled sunlight (introduce several plants in a small area), to accompany the flowering of Rhododendrons, Pieris, Camellias, and other Hydrangeas. In these beds at the base of shrubs, accompany it, for example, with Solomon's seals, ferns, and Arisaema. It is superb in a flower pot, combined with blue squills, which will take over from it, placed under Fatsia, Papyrus, Colocasia...