Disporum longistylum 'Night Heron'

Disporum longistylum, a Chinese native plant, is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial bearing tall branched stems which resemble bamboo. Its narrow, glossy leaves are purple when they first emerge, and gradually fade to green over the course of the season. White-yellow tubular flowers appear in late spring, followed by black-red berries.

Disporum longistylum 'Night Heron' is easy to grow in a warm, partially shaded spot. It makes a dramatic statement when grown in exotic borders, and also as a container plant. It makes a good companion plant to Chinese dogwood, Cornus kousa, which flowers at the same time.