Description
There are many variegated forms of Disporum smilacinum in Japan, where variegation is highly esteemed. Some are simply lined or edged with white, Koutei however is broadly lined with a lot of gold colouring and this lasts very well throughout the season.
The leaves are largely golden-yellow, just thinly edged with green, towards the leaf tips and it is the most golden of the Japanese forms. Nevertheless this is still a strong-growing plant. In addition it is completely stable with no tendency to revert to all-green forms.
In early summer there is an added bonus of hanging white “tiffany” lampshade flowers, with yellow anthers (just visible on the left in our picture). This plant spreads very slowly, by underground offsets, but both these and mature roots are naturally very small, so please be warned that they do not look impressive upon arrival! Easy in humus-rich soil in shade.
