Disporopsis pernyi is hardy evergreen plant which at first glance is of similar appearance to Polygonatum, but has thicker, tougher foliage which is too much for caterpillars to tackle.

Attractively spotted stems have a ridgid, upright habit, and bear many 2cm-long white star-shaped flowers detailed with green tips and yellow centres. Foam-like pink berries are produced later in the year. Reinier thinks the flowers are pretty special with their subtle shading and intricate shaping.

This tough plant thrives is shade to part-shade and grows slowly to have a very long life in the garden.

Reinier brought the plant along to the CNB open day (see 'Golden Meadows' news item) to remind his industry colleagues of this underused genus

"People always want something special. To me the Disporopsis feels like an art deco plant. It’s totally different to Polygonatum".

"This plant is still very difficult to find as nobody is growing it commercially. I think it's something worth bringing into the spotlight to alert people to the fact that there are so many more types of plant we could be growing as well as the usual stuff."