Fairy Bells

FAIRY BELLS - Common name for plants of the genus Disporum, members of the Lily Family. They are perennial herbs with slender rootstocks, leafy stems and drooping flowers solitary or borne in clusters and followed by attractive red or yellow berries. They are very lovely in the wild garden, especially when in fruit, and similar to Solomons Seal in growth, but usually grow in drier situations. They can be increased by seed or division.

Disporum oreganum, to 2 ft., has creamy-white flowers. Disporum smithi, to 3 ft., has whitish flowers to 1 in. and bright yellow berries. Disporum hookeri, to 2 ft., has green flowers and scarlet berries. Disporum maculatunt, to 2 ft., has yellowish flowers dotted with black. Disporum lanuginosum has greenish flowers and red fruit.

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