Prosartes spp.
American fairybells
North America (western mountains and eastern United States)
Overview
Prosartes is a genus of five species of woodland perennials in the family Liliaceae, native to North America, with most species in the west and one in the east. Known as fairybells, plants grow 1-3 ft (30-90 cm) tall on arching, branched stems with broad, pointed, strongly veined leaves. The creamy white to greenish bell-shaped flowers hang singly or in small clusters from the branch tips, often hidden beneath the leaves, and bloom in spring. They are followed by smooth or velvety berries that ripen yellow, orange, or red in summer. Plants grow in moist, shaded forests, spreading slowly by rhizomes to form loose colonies. They go dormant by late summer, especially in dry sites. The genus was long included in Disporum, from which it differs in fruit and flower details. Plants need cool, moist, humus-rich soil and decline in hot, dry, or sunny sites.
Native Range
Prosartes is native to North America, with four species in the western mountains and Pacific states and one, P. lanuginosa, in the eastern United States. Plants grow in moist, shaded coniferous and mixed forests. They are most common in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.Suggested Uses
Grown in woodland and shade gardens, native plant plantings, and along shaded paths in cool climates. The arching stems and hanging berries suit naturalized drifts under trees and shrubs. Plants combine with ferns, trilliums, and other woodland perennials.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring, generally April to June, with the pendant bells opening as the leaves expand. The flowers are short-lived and partly hidden by the foliage. Berries follow and ripen through summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
creamy white to greenishFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in part to full shade in cool, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH near 5.5 to 6.5. They are kept evenly moist during growth and tolerate short dry spells by going dormant early. Hot sun, drought, and poor soil cause decline, so plants are sited in shaded woodland conditions. They spread slowly by rhizome and rarely need division. Established plants are left undisturbed to form colonies.Pruning
Little pruning is needed beyond clearing dead stems once plants go dormant in late summer. Berried stems are left to feed wildlife or removed if self-seeding is not wanted. Plants are otherwise left to spread on their own.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons