The subject of Rohdea came up on one of the many gardening lists I participate in over the internet. A gardener whose opinion I respect stated that he had been growing the sacred lily for some years in Kansas City, MO. I made a trade for this species and two named cultivars. The species plant was placed in an exposed position which receives the brunt of our winter weather. I wanted to see just how hardy, just how well this evergreen held up to our winters. All three plants from that exchange, along with other cultivars purchased, have all performed well in my garden over the past years. I would give Rohdea japonica a rating of zone 5 minimum.
Here in the Midwest Mother Nature did not create a lot of broadleaf evergreens, so having a green plant in the dead of winter can be quite a treat on a dreary day. The sacred lily has foliage that is glossy and leathery, deep, dark ink-green. The individual leaves come directly from the creeping rhizome forming a rosette. Each leaf will mature out at about 2½ to 3 inches across by about 15 to 18 inches long. The oblanceolate foliage arches, so while individual leaves are 8 inches long, the clumps are only about 12 inches in height. Each leaf is heavily textured with keeled midrib and pleats in between the veins. Many cultivars are collected based upon the midrib behavior and variegation of the leaf. Species or cultivar, a colony will eventually be created by the short creeping rhizomes.
Flowers, and the resulting berries, are generally downplayed in the literature due to their supposed insignificant size and color. However, I find the clusters of scarlet berries at the base of the plant to be quite colorful. The berries last all through the worst of winter.
The rhizomes of scared lily have a preference for well-drained soil and do well beneath shrubs and trees as a great groundcover. While they will perform in dryish soil and root competition, they will do even better with decent garden soil. Too much moisture will cause discoloration in the foliage and eventual crown rot.
The Japanese and Chinese have been growing Rohdea in containers for centuries, so no reason not to continue the tradition. I have a nice rounded fired-clay container in earth tone colors for a plant or two on the front patio this coming spring.
I especially enjoy the sacred lily with hellebores as companions, and drifts of snow drops between the two.