How to Plant and Grow Yellow Wax Bells

Yellow wax bells are herbaceous perennials named for their pretty, late-summer flowers. The eye-catching plant comes from the Hydrangeaceae family with a shape and stems reminiscent of its more familiar shrubby relative, the hydrangea. Come August, yellow wax bells bear pendulous clusters of yellow, pearl-size buds that open into dainty, nodding bells. These waxy flowers have a crystalline-like surface that sparkles in bright light. The buttery-yellow, almost luminescent flowers would also be right at home in a moon garden. When the flowers are not in bloom, the yellow wax bell’s maple-like leaves are a great backdrop for other shade-garden plants.

In the wild, yellow wax bell is found growing in mountainous areas, forests, and woodlands with loose, rocky soil. Though yellow wax bell is not a common plant for the home garden, it’s easy to grow and pest-resistant. Plus, it adds color, bold textures, and structure to spaces where other perennials or shrubs would struggle.

Where to Plant Yellow Wax Bells

Yellow wax bells are just one of many plants that thrive in shade. The perennial (yes, perennial, not shrub) spreads nicely via short, thick rhizomes but is not considered invasive. When selecting a planting place for yellow wax bells, keep in mind that the plant matures to 3 to 4 1/2 feet tall. Plant it near the back of a border where it has space to expand without blocking other plants from view. The sturdy, almost woody stems remain upright throughout the growing season, so yellow wax bells rarely need staking.

Yellow wax bells want consistent moisture, so they thrive near ponds, in rain gardens, or in areas with regular rainfall. For a low-effort, near-constant supply of moisture, place your yellow wax bell near a downspout or the drip line of your house. Look for an area with moist, acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil that is easily accessible for curious pollinators. Cover a large area by planting three to five yellow wax bell plants together.

How and When to Plant Yellow Wax Bells

Plant nursery-grown starts or transplants in spring or early summer. This will give your yellow wax bell time to adjust and establish healthy roots during the warmer months. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as your plant’s root ball and loosen the soil at the base of the hole. Place your yellow wax bell in the hole and backfill the hole with soil, tamping it down as you work. The crown of your root ball should be even with the surface of the soil. Water the plant well and spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around the base to prevent soil moisture loss.

If you are planting more than one yellow wax bell, place them 2 to 3 feet apart.

Yellow Wax Bells Care Tips

Yellow wax bells thrive in moist, shaded sites and bloom from late summer to early fall. What's more, the easy-to-grow shrub-like perennial is impressive in size; deer and rabbit-resistant; and a draw for helpful pollinators.

Light

Yellow wax bells thrive in partial to full shade. The plants can tolerate 4 to 5 hours of sunlight if the soil is consistently moist. If your yard has a lot of sun, consider placing your yellow wax bell in the understory of a large tree or on the north side of a structure where exposure is limited.

Soil and Water

Yellow wax bells prefer moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil that is neutral to slightly acidic (6.1 to 7.3 pH). If your soil is heavy or poor, consider amending it weeks before planting.

Yellow wax bells need consistent moisture, but it’s best to avoid overly wet or dry soils. To establish a strong root system (especially during the first year), water plants deeply whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.

Temperature and Humidity

Yellow wax bells prefer moderate to high humidity and temperatures between 40˚ and 80˚ Fahrenheit.

The herbaceous foliage of the yellow wax bell is not frost-tolerant, so the plant typically dies back to the ground when winter frost arrives.

Fertilizer

If planted in humus-rich soil, yellow wax bells do not require supplemental fertilizer. However, you can apply a granular, phosphorus-rich fertilizer in late winter or early spring to encourage stronger roots and more robust flowering. Use sparingly and avoid fertilizing during the active growing season. Overfertilization may weaken the plant and make it more prone to disease.

Pruning

During the growing season, yellow wax bells need little (if any) pruning. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooming and remove any dead or diseased foliage as it appears. You can also remove the flowerheads before they go to seed to prolong the bloom period.

After the foliage dies in the fall, cut your plants back to ground level.

Pests and Problems

Yellow wax bells aren’t prone to many issues with pests and diseases, but slugs and moths can be a nuisance—especially with early growth.  

How to Propagate Yellow Wax Bells

The easiest way to propagate yellow wax bells is via division. In the spring before growth begins, dig up the plant. With the roots and rhizomes exposed, cut the plant into two or three large clumps, each with at least three buds. Plant the clumps separately (at least 2 to 3 feet apart).

Types of Yellow Wax Bells

Common Yellow Wax Bells

The most commonly planted version of Kirengeshoma is Kirengeshoma palmata, which is native to Japan, Korea, and northeast China. It typically grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in zones 5-8. It has large, coarsely-toothed, maple-like leaves and bright yellow bell-shape flowers from late summer to early fall.

Korean Yellow Wax Bells

A less common—but no less pretty—wax bell species, Korean wax bell (Kirengeshoma koreana) typically grows 3 to 4 feet tall in zones 5-8. Like Kirengeshoma palmata, it features large, toothed, maple-like leaves and pendulous yellow flowers in late summer and early fall. The blooms on Korean wax bell plants are less droopy and the shrub is, by some reports, more winter-hardy. This plant is also sometimes referred to as Kirengeshoma palmata var. Korean.

Yellow Wax Bells 'Margarita'

The ‘Margarita’ cultivar of yellow wax bells features lime-green foliage and nodding yellow flowers from late summer to midfall. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall in zone 5-8.

Companion Plants for Yellow Wax Bells

Astilbe

Astilbes are knockout woodland garden plants that liven up shade gardens with fern-like foliage and feathery-plumed blossoms. Astilbes grow 1 to 3 feet tall in zones 4-8, depending on the type, and bloom in candy-like shades of pink, red, purple, salmon, or white. Much like yellow wax bells, astilbes prefer consistently moist soil and partial shade.

Cimicifuga

Cimicifuga is a late summer stunner in shade gardens with its long, candle-like spikes of airy white flowers and dark green leaves. This plant—foliage plus flower spikes—stretches 4 to 6 feet tall and sometimes 8 feet tall in optimal conditions. Plus, the flower stalks (technically clusters of thin stamens) last more than three weeks. Cimicifuga is hardy in zones 3-8 and grows best in moist soil that is rich in organic matter.

Coral Bells

Coral bells come in a rainbow of colors like purple, rose, lime green, and gold. They are also surprisingly low maintenance for the lush texture they bring to rock gardens, containers, and woodland plantings. This perennial foliage plant is hardy in Zones 3-9 and thrives in partial shade and well-draining, humus-rich soil.

Hakone Grass

Hakone grass (a.k.a. Japanese forest grass), is a tough, low-maintenance ornamental grass that thrives in moist, shady conditions. This plant forms dense mounds of slender, gracefully arching leaves that start solid green, solid golden, or variegated, then change to coppery orange as fall arrives. Hakone grass is hardy in zones 5-9 and works as an accent or a groundcover. It can also be planted around trees, in containers, along paths, or grouped with companion plants like ferns and hostas.

Ligularia

To add intrigue in damp corners of your landscape where the sun filters through trees, consider adding ligularia. In addition to its lush foliage, the herbaceous perennial has two types of blossoms: tall bottlebrush-like stalks of small flowers or loose stalks of erratic, daisy-like blossoms. No matter their form, ligularia blooms in late fall in bright clusters of yellow. Ligularia plants (hardy in zones 4-9) prefer partial sun or dappled shade and rich, organic, moisture-retentive soil.

Lungwort

Lungworts are shade garden workhorses—especially when placed close together as a weed-discouraging groundcover or in borders as edging plants. Lungworts prefer partial shade with protection from the harsh afternoon sun in zones 2-8. The low-growing perennials thrive in moisture-retentive, high-humus soil but tolerate dry conditions. In early spring, lungwort's brilliant blue, pink, or white flowers bloom despite the chill. The rough basal leaves, spotted or plain, are rabbit-resistant and look good through the season and into winter.