Gardening Flowers Perennials Yellow Wax Bells By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 22, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Yellow Wax Bells Overview Description A perennial with a shape and stems reminiscent of a woody shrub, yellow wax bells are named for their pretty late-summer flowers. The plant's pendulous clusters of yellow pearl-size buds open into dainty, nodding bells. When the flowers are not in bloom, its maple-like leaves are a great backdrop for other shade-garden plants. Though it's not a common plant, it's easy to grow and pest-resistant, and deserves a home in almost any shade garden. Genus Name Kirengeshoma Common Name Yellow Wax Bells Plant Type Perennial Light Part Sun Height 1 to 3 feet Width 1 to 3 feet Foliage Color Chartreuse/Gold Season Features Colorful Fall Foliage, Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Good for Containers Zones 5, 6, 7, 8 Propagation Division, Seed Colorful Combinations Yellow wax bells are just one of many plants that thrive in shade and also add a burst of color, eye-catching leaf shapes, bold textures, and structure to create an inviting, rich garden. Pair yellow wax bells with upright astilbe, ferns, ligularia, lungwort, hakone grass, coralbells, and cimicifuga. Cover a large area by planting three to five plants of a single species together. See more perennial plant combos we love. Yellow Wax Bells Care Must-Knows Yellow wax bells thrive in moist, shaded sites. Plants can tolerate 4 to 5 hours of sunlight if the soil is consistently moist. This easy-to- grow perennial thrives in deep, humus-rich soil. When selecting a planting place for yellow wax bells, keep in mind that the plant matures to 3 to 4½ feet tall. Plant it near the back of the border where it has space to expand without blocking other plants from view. Plant nursery-grown transplants in spring or early summer. Spread a 2-inch- thick layer of mulch around plants to prevent soil moisture loss. To establish a strong root system the first year, water plants well throughout the season. Get mulch techniques here. Yellow wax bells bloom in late summer or fall. The plant's shrub-like habit decorates the garden beginning in early summer through the first frost. The sturdy, almost woody stems remain upright throughout the growing season, and yellow wax bells rarely need staking. Cut plants back to ground level in fall after the foliage dies. Plant Yellow Wax Bells With: Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit