Description
A rarely offered plant from China and the Philippines, with an outlying population in eastern Taiwan where it has been confused with the more widespread Taiwanese C. oldhamii. In the wild it grows in semi-wooded areas. It usually reaches 30cm in height but can be a little larger, with the wiry yet sturdy, often stems being topped with the typical green serrated foliage of the genus. Above the leaves are held the flower spikes (often several to each leaf whorl) which are quite subdued and which consist of small but very numerous, strongly scented white blooms hanging pendulously. They won’t win prizes for being big and blousy, but I rather like their quiet, subtle nature. Incidentally the plant is even more subdued than normal in our picture, which shows just a residual few flowers and the early stages of fruiting.
Chloranthus henryi is deciduous and perennial (as are all of our Chloranthus species) but is instantly distinguishable as makes slightly taller growths, perhaps 35cm as a maximum, the leaves incline more towards olive than bright green and the flower shape and the way they are held differs markedly from others.
Earlier flowering than our other species and in some years its scent becomes apparent in December and January, causing a search for the source. Fully hardy and tolerant as befits a genus which has been around since the Cretaceous and the start of the evolution of flowering plants. Choice of planting site and conditions involves part- or light-shade, well-drained but moisture-retentive, acidic compost or soil and, as with all Chloranthaceae, a degree of patience to allow it to re-establish after transplanting, as most of this group don’t really like it and can sulk for a year. After this they will slowly spread outwards each year but they are never invasive.
Introduced to our lists January 2022
