Description
A fascinating little plant from Japan with a slightly creeping rootstock and a reddish stem, top with four leaves, which are held at right angles to each other, sitting below a small, compact spike of pure white, fragrant flowers in spring and early summer. The plant reaches about 30cm tall eventually, and even without flowers, the glossy, tooth-edged leaves (looking a little like glossy mint leaves) are remarkably decorative, especially when planted in association with woodland subjects like dwarf ferns and Trillium, growing through and with them.
Fully hardy and very tolerant as befits a genus which has been around since the start of flowering plants. Siting and growth 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.
Introduced to our lists January 2022
