Kirengeshoma Species, Yellow Wax Bells

Kirengeshomapalmata

Family
Hydrangeaceae (hy-drain-jee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Kirengeshoma (kir-en-geh-SHOW-muh)
Species
palmata (pahl-MAY-tuh)
Synonym
Kirengeshoma koreana
Kirengeshoma palmata var. koreana
Kirengeshoma suffruticosa
Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Bloom Color
Pale Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Denver, Colorado

Hamden, Connecticut

Ringgold, Georgia

Boise, Idaho

Park Ridge, Illinois

Paoli, Indiana

Cedar Falls, Iowa

Sheldon, Iowa

Baltimore, Maryland

Westminster, Maryland

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Dracut, Massachusetts

Roslindale, Massachusetts

Upton, Massachusetts

Wayland, Massachusetts

Plainwell, Michigan

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hopkins, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

, New Brunswick

Rochester, New Hampshire

Croton On Hudson, New York

Fairport, New York

Pittsford, New York

Sag Harbor, New York

Webster, New York

Charlotte, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Glouster, Ohio

Toledo, Ohio

Bay City, Oregon

Gresham, Oregon

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Hermitage, Pennsylvania

Morrisville, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Logan, Utah

Lexington, Virginia

Orlean, Virginia

Springfield, Virginia

Sequim, Washington

Suquamish, Washington

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

12
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
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P
Morrisville, PA | July 2018 | neutral

I have had the plant for about 8 years and it has never gotten bigger than about 2 feet x 2 feet. Seems happy and healthy. It has only bl...Read More

C
Bethlehem, PA | March 2016 | positive

A great specimen plant in my shady, Zone 6 garden bed - 3x3x 18". Dependable, problem free for the 8 years I've had it. Succession plan...Read More

K
K
Charlotte, NC (Zone 7b) | March 2016 | positive

Late response to joellefm re deer : Kirengeshoma is generally advertised to be deer proof, but deer happily munch through the leaves in C...Read More

J
Coram, NY | August 2015 | neutral

I just bought one of these at the farmer's market in Montpelier VT for my daughter in law's new garden. Within two days something ate all...Read More

M
Hopkins, MN (Zone 4a) | August 2013 | positive

In my opinion, this plan is simply stunning and a shade garden must-have. That being said, in my Minnesota garden it either isn't as hap...Read More

S
S
Sag Harbor, NY (Zone 7a) | October 2012 | positive

Bought this in Iowa (Z4b/5a) about 7 years ago in a 3" pot, it survived 2 winters there; moved it to Long Island NY (z7a) where it's now ...Read More

L
Hermitage, PA | September 2012 | positive

I love this plant. It grows beautifully in 2 different gardens, one in Western Pennsylvania near route 80, and also on the Southwestern c...Read More

G
Gresham, OR | April 2012 | positive

The plant is about 15 years old and is in 3/4 shade and moist acid soil. When it reaches full summer growth it is about 5 by 4 feet in s...Read More

M
Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | October 2011 | positive

Seem to be solidly zone 4 hardy. Found out that they are very senstive to frosts and freezes - one year I had a unusually warm early spri...Read More

G
Plainwell, MI (Zone 5b) | September 2008 | positive

Very nice color of yellow. Good to see some sunny color at the end when everything is starting to go dormant. Love the leaf shape and the...Read More

F
Huron, SD | January 2008 | positive

kirengeshoma palmata is native japan, where it is a rare plant. Easily cultivated in a moist, humus-rich, well drained soil in shade or p...Read More

S
Paoli, IN | January 2006 | positive

Mine has been growing for 5 summers, and gets better year after year. It's a great large plant for a shade garden! It gets very little ...Read More

S
Chesterland, OH (Zone 5b) | June 2005 | positive

I too love this plant, I have been growing it now for three years. I love watching the flower buds grow and swell up. My plant seems to d...Read More

P
Westminster, MD (Zone 6b) | June 2005 | positive

What a beauty! I planted two last fall -- they were at the last of their bloom. One was k. palmata and the other, its open-belled cousi...Read More

L
Lawrenceville, PA (Zone 5b) | September 2004 | neutral

This is my new favorite flower.
The bells are heavy and fleshy over 1 1/2 inches long - a pleasure to touch as well as look at. T...Read More

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