Beesia

A relatively rare but increasingly popular evergreen perennial for shaded UK gardens. Beesia calthifolia is admired for its spectacular foliage: large, heart-shaped, leathery leaves with a deep green, highly glossy surface and prominent, intricate veining. The leaves often take on a reddish-bronze tint in the cold of winter, providing year-round visual appeal. In late spring and early summer, it sends up slender, dark stems topped with small, delicate, star-shaped white flowers. It is native to the mountains of China and thrives in the cool, damp conditions found in a typical British woodland garden. It prefers moist, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade and dislikes growing in hot, dry positions. Once established, it is a robust and low-maintenance plant that forms attractive, slow-spreading clumps. It is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for something unique to pair with Hostas and ferns in an informal woodland setting.

Sun: Full shade.

Soil: Moist, organic-rich soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul.