Disporopsis

Extreme rarity from the summit of Jinfoshan where this was found growing in moss and leaf litter atop a narrow shoulder of hard limestone napped in snow from the night before. A diminutive species to just 3" tall with small evergreen thumbnail leaves and small white flowers touched in rose on the interior. Light lavender fruit follows. We expect this to be among the hardiest of the Disporopsis and are pleased to be the first to introduce and offer the true species. As a side note of irony, the collection site has subsequently been destroyed by development for eco-tourism.

A collection from Sichuan by Riz Reyes which is quite exceptional. This is the largest of the clones we grow with bigger flowers, larger leaves and taller in height and is probably worthy of a clonal name. "Rizing Star" wouldn't be half bad acknowledging both one of the Northwest's fine young plantsmen but also the superior flowers in this clone which is a good thing in a Disporopsis! For purposes of garden design, this is essentially an evergreen Solomon Seal that will get 18"-28" tall with off-white flowers touched in very light yellow in the interior and heavily speckled in dark amber. These are young plants and really need to put on their spring flush of growth to visually look like they are mail order worthy but if you get yours early in 2014, just be aware that though they are sturdy, they won't look their best until April.

Our collection of this less-commonly encountered evergreen Solomon Seal lookalike in the Asparagaceae Family.  Fetchingly growing by a boulder and overhanging a small stream while we cast glances behind us in case the nearby troop of monkeys concluded we were in a vulnerable position.  Small white bells on the undersides of the stems in May and June are pleasantly scented if you are flexible enough to get your nose down to your ankles.  Purplish fruits follow.

Evergreen Solomon Seal relative from Taiwan via Georgia plantsman Ozzie Johnson. Can't have too many clones of a good plant and we always say "Bring on the Clones!" This will do great in moist shade in zones 7-9 where the rounded leaves on stems up to a foot or so shelter the hanging white bell flowers. This combines well with all of those shade garden plants that any self respecting plant collector loves so rest assured that garden harmony will remain intact.

This clone came from a knowledgeable plantsman in Vietnam and no data as to whether it was from a wild collection or a cultivated plant originating from China. Evergreen Solomon Seal relative with white bells under upright and slightly arching stems clad in alternate green leaves. Hardy in Kansas.

The form matching best with the species description. This is a low-growing evergreen Solomon Seal ally from China and has a more refined look than other forms of this species which we grow. Nice white flowers with a bit of caramel amber added and purplish fruit that follows.

This evergreen Solomon Seal lookalike represents a rare introduction from Taiwan by our friends at Crug Farm. Originally described as the new species, taiwanensis in 1989, this was sunk into the Chinese species pernyi by Govaerts in 2000. We could live with that if it was pernyi var. taiwanensis to indicate its unique geographical provenance. Pretty cool either way.

This is a clone from a wild collection in China which came to us from a friend and we have finally a few to offer. Evergreen leaves in our climate looking a lot like a Solomon Seal with similar white bells in spring. In all respects, this is quite similar to the clone we have from Washfield Nursery but if you are at all like us then you are obsessed with genetic diversity so bring on the clones! It is not a bad idea anyway as it usually helps with pollination to have more than one clone and the lavender fruits offer a subtle attraction in the shade garden later in the season. We clip the old stems off in spring as the new starts to grow and this likes a moist rich soil but will tolerate drier conditions with an occasional deep drink.

A collection from the mountains of northern Luzon in the Philippines by the folks at Crug Farm. This has the same evergreen nature as the other species with arching Solomon Seal-esque stems to 16", narrow elliptic leaves, white flowers and purplish fruit. This is a good grower for mild gardens, rare of course. We haven't tried it outside yet so let us know how it handles the winters.

Our most vigorous clone of this species which we collected in Sichuan in 2006. This will fill out a pot in no time and will do equally well in the garden. The day we found this is memorable because that evening we stayed in a hotel where we had to sleep with the lights on because every time we turned off the lights, numerous rats would scurry out from their home in our built-in bed and rustle about through our gear. When we turned on the lights, they would all dash back under and into our bed. Fortunately they kept to their level of the bed and we kept to ours but it was not the best of nights. This is a good evergreen perennial with whitish flowers with light purplish interiors and best in shade that doesn't dry out.

A very low growing species which we received under the name jinfushanensis but have since had identified as undulata. We saw the true jinfushanensis on Mt Jinfo fall of 2010 and it bears no resemblance to this which is better! Slowly spreading evergreen stems and speckled whitish bells.