Rohdea japonica, commonly known as the Sacred Lily or Nippon Lily, is a revered and resilient evergreen perennial in the Asparagaceae family. Prized for its architectural foliage, seasonal blooms, and vibrant berries, it offers year-round interest. For the home cultivator, selecting the right variety is key to maximizing its ornamental potential. The following varieties are particularly well-suited for container growing, shaded garden beds, and indoor spaces due to their manageable size, striking visual appeal, and robust nature.
The standard species form is an excellent starting point for any home gardener. It features broad, arching, dark green, strap-like leaves that form a dense, low clump. Its flowers are modest, creamy-white spikes that appear in summer, often followed by clusters of bright red berries in autumn that persist for months. This variety is the hardiest and most adaptable, thriving in deep to dappled shade and tolerating a wide range of well-draining soil conditions. Its classic, lush green appearance provides a perfect backdrop for other shade-loving plants like ferns and hostas.
This is a spectacular variegated cultivar highly sought after for its stunning foliage. The leaves are a deep green but are dramatically streaked and mottled with bold, creamy-yellow longitudinal stripes. The variegation is often irregular, making each plant unique. 'Chimenishiki' grows slower than the plain green species, making it ideal for container cultivation where its beauty can be appreciated up close on a patio or as a houseplant. It requires the same shade conditions but may benefit from slightly brighter, filtered light to maintain its vibrant variegation, though direct sun should be avoided to prevent leaf scorch.
'Gunjaku', which translates to "peacock," is named for its intricate and elegant leaf pattern. This variety exhibits fine, thread-like variegation. The dark green leaves are subtly overlaid with a network of thin, creamy-white lines, creating a complex and refined texture. The overall effect is less bold than 'Chimenishiki' but exceptionally sophisticated. It is a moderate grower and performs beautifully in a shaded rock garden, as a border edging, or in a decorative pot. Its more subtle coloration makes it a perfect plant for contemplative garden spaces.
For those seeking a truly unique specimen, 'Noba Fuji' is a remarkable choice. This cultivar is celebrated for its distinct fruiting display. While its foliage is a solid, deep green similar to the species, it produces exceptionally large, showy clusters of berries. The fruits are a brilliant, cardinal red and are significantly larger and more numerous than those on typical plants. This makes 'Noba Fuji' the premier variety for autumn and winter interest, providing a vital source of color in the dormant garden when little else is blooming.
This dwarf cultivar is perfectly suited for small-space gardening. As its name implies, 'Green Ball' forms a very tight, compact, spherical mound of short, dark green leaves. Its growth habit is exceptionally dense and slow, rarely exceeding 6-8 inches in height. This miniature form is ideal for terrariums, small pots, fairy gardens, or as a delicate evergreen accent in the front of a shady border. Despite its small size, it retains the tough, drought-tolerant characteristics of the species once established.
