Quackin Grass Nursery

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Kirengeshoma palmata - typical showy waxy yellow bells

Kirengeshoma palmata 'Black Style' – This Yellow Waxy Bells sports black stems in dramatic contrast to the flowers. Though I have grown for many years in gardens Kirengeshoma palmata and its Korean sibling, Kirengeshoma koreana (Korean Wax Bells) have flourished .'Black Style' has not. It has only been grown in and propagated from containers; these have largely been grown under white polyethylene. This culture has stymied the stems' potential for the dark, elegant coloration. All are wonderful mid-late to late season perennials with large pale yellow waxy bell-shaped flowers hanging in showy open terminal clusters, some axillary supported by green stems - blackened stems on 'Black Style' The flowers are showy, 1 to 1.5" long. Maple-like palmate leaves with 7 to 10 lobes occur in an opposite arrangement. The plant is variable in height, very much dependent upon the tenor of the growing season coupled with the conditions in which it is planted. If I was asked as to which species I think is showier I would have to point to Kirengeshoma palmata over koreana. Yellow Waxy Bells is a perennial, a herbaceous Hydrangea relative, of easy disposition for us. Kirengeshoma palmata looks fantastic with late season monkshoods and Sanguisorba. It prefers fertile, organic soil set in open shade, dappled light or in morning sun. Plenty of moisture is fundamental to its happiness. Even in a fully shaded garden here with the plants interred in a fairly rich woodland soil in midsummer droughts it doesn't take long before the foilage begins to droop from too much dry. Established pot grown Kirengeshoma by divison.