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My plant of Rohdea japonica came from Hardy Exotics
, and is probably a seedling from one of the named cultivars - the leaves have more undulate margins
than is typical, and they have a pale yellow streaking through them, like some of the modern strains of
Clivia, that look like they are suffering from a nutrient deficiency. All other comments aside, it is a marvellous tough stylish evergreen. The North Carolina Extension Plant Toolbox says: "This plant is native to moist woodlands and grassy slopes in China and Japan. It is a highly prized and cherished plant in Japan where it has been cultivated for over 500 years. It is a "good fortune" plant and is frequently given as a housewarming or birthday gift. There are over 600 cultivars registered in Japan." Xera Plants give it more colout: "Sacred Lily from Japan is a stellar evergreen perennial that may not be dynamic and changing but it takes horrible dry shade and still looks good ( or the same ) year round. Rosettes that are somewhat elongated with scooped scrappy deep green arching leaves. Tiny white/green flowers in summer turn to bright red showy berries in fall and winter. Very slow growing for shade to dense shade and a champion in dry shade. To 1′ tall x 2′ wide Unmolested by slugs and snails. Light summer water. Takes sun but will turn yellow- not pretty. Japanese style gardens, overhangs, under outside stairwells. Cold hardy." In the garden here it has been very slow growing, probably due to the cold summers, although it shrugs off winter cold. It has grown more rapidly in the greenhouse where it is reliably warm. |
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| 28th March 2006 | ||
