Description
(Maianthemum oleracea)
This has a 75-100 cm reddish-brown stem clothed in pale green foliage all made below arching 25 cm sprays of small purplish-pink infused, white, bell-shaped flowers. Each is carried on a short red stem that enhances the colouring of the bloom. The individual nodding, flowers are large for the genus (Col. Grey compares them to Pieris in appearance). Purple berries follow in Autumn.
Naturally this is found in the Himalayas of northern India at up to 3,300 m.in altitude, apparently (Flora of China) extending into China
In the garden this thrives and makes a compact clump readily if planted in a humus-rich soil in half-shade.
