Paris

Paris incompleta

This species is allied to quadrifolia but it is stouter, more vigorous, has wide tepals and larger, creeping rhizomes. The leaf whorls have between 7 and 11 leaflets, whilst the green and yellowish flowers are also composed of "multi-part-sets" of petals, sepals and anthers, again 4-8 is normal.

I was highly surprised however when our stock of this species produced lovely, large, ghostly greenish-white flowers. This is not typical for the true species and indeed our plant had all of the hallmarks of being a distinct, perhaps new, species. It seemed to be too different from other incompleta and yet it answers to no other Paris. The next year the same bed, containing the same plants produced all green flowers.

This plant has tremendous garden potential, it is highly decorative and once established (for this is never fast in Paris), it is second only to the fabulous japonica in display potential.

Not difficult, once established, (this can be slow) in a well drained, slightly shaded leaf soil outside, NOT a pot where the stresses are too great to allow it to establish and ours are happy under just these conditions.

Paris incompletaparincinc	£18.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Large view

Paris japonica

Paris japonica is distinct from all other Paris, with its large, white flowers. Once established it will flower regularly and increase, although it does this only slowly.

Its short, very stout rhizomes makes a stem 25-80cm tall topped by a whorl of 6-10 leaves. Above the leaves is borne a sublime white flower 8cm in diameter.

This is not a difficult plant but it has a behaviour all its own and distinct preferences. If you ignore these then you may get a 30cm tall plant, if you take notice of them, or combine them, you will get an 80cm specimen that will take your breath away! Nursery- produced, flowering sized rhizomes, which are slow to get to size, hence the price.

Paris japonica likes rich, moist and humus-rich soils in half shade but it now has its own special page with cultivation and notes. This can be found in our members area, available after logging in to your account.

Paris japonica SpecimensparjapjapSpecimens	£70.00		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Normal trade size for this species is about 15-20gms per tuber. These are strong, mature, specimens in excess of 60gm each Large view

Paris quadrifolia

The native and European species with (usually) four leaves in a whorl and a curious spidery green and yellow flower in May.

Growing conditions are exactly as for Tri11ium and the creeping rhizomes will increase gently when happy. It is easily pleased - forget the books which advise lime - although it will grow in limey soils, it does not have to have this.

Paris quadrifoliaparquaqua	£7.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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Paris tetraphylla

Despite the similarity of their names Paris tetraphylla is not the same as Paris quadrifolia, nor does it always have 4 leaves either!

Slender, creeping rhizomes make a 15-25cm stem topped by 4-7 leaves. The flower is held on a wiry stem above and is made up of 4-6 reflexing, lizard green sepals. Above sits a whorl of 6-10 sideways-facing, pale yellow anthers on green filaments. An orange style, divided into 3 or 4 forms an umbrella over the whole. Intricately structured and with a calm, quiet beauty, though in miniature, this is one for the appreciative gardener as it is neither conspicuous nor showy. The flowers are followed by a typical, black-purple (poisonous) Paris berry in late summer.

In Japan it has a northerly distribution being found in mountain woods of N. Honshu (the big island) and adjacent Hokkaido (the smaller island to its north). Ours are nursery raised, but traceable to Aomori Prefecture in northern Honshu.

In cultivation this enjoys a fertile, leaf- or humus-rich soil in part shade. Fully hardy this will make nice colonies in time. Like many Paris it resents disturbances and can sulk after transplanting.

Paris tetraphyllapartetet	£13.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Flowering-sized divisions, (these may not flower in the first year however). Large view

Paris thibetica

20-40cm tall stems with a dense whorl of narrow, undulate-edged leaves carry a single flower of lime green. The sepals are wide and form a nice overlapping foil for the red-brown ovary and the greatly elongated narrow, rolled petals. In the centre sit stout upright yellow anthers.

A distinctive and quietly attractive, hardy species, for a humus-rich soil in light shade.

Paris thibeticaparthithi	£9.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Large view

Paris verticillata

Paris verticillata grows from a slender, creeping rhizome, only some 5mm in diameter but this makes stems from 25-60cm tall which bear a rosette of 5-8, slightly wavy edged leaves, above which a good-sized flower combining 4 or 5 green sepals with large yellow anthers and a purple ovary tipped with 3-5-pronged stigma lobes sitting like an exotic, miniature toasting-fork on top.

Easily grown as for other creeping Paris species such as quadrifolia and incompleta and an excellent garden or pot species, remarkably conspicuous for a plant of such subdued colouring. Light shade in a leafy or humus rich soil suits most Paris, this one is no exception.

Spread across China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Russia but little seen. The identity of Paris verticillata in horticulture has been the centre of much confusion. Chinese imports grown under this name are seldom, if ever, correctly named. We have a new Japanese nursery stock, which is the true and correct plant with a slender, creeping rhizome, as it should be.

Paris verticillataparverver	£14.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
True-to-name, flowering sized dormant rhizomes Large view