Podophyllum pleianthum
May apple, Chinese May apple
- Height × spread
- 0.45m × 1m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A wonderful plant! This has very neat leaves that look as though pressed out with a pastry cutter. They are rounded and large in appearance with broad, shallow triangular lobes that make a neat edging to a leaf that is coloured mid-green with the major ribs coloured white. The flower carried on a stout white stem sit within or just above the leaves. They are not large but intrigue with their deep shiny mahogany red colour. They form close-lipped bells, held on fine white stems that dangle from the main flowering stalk. The scent is described as 'malodorous' since they are pollinated by flies. The flowers are borne from May to July and are followed by berry fruits that start grey and ripen to yellow. These need a lightly or moderately shaded position in rich soil that is acidic to neutral. They are not drought tolerant.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Grey, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.45m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Shady court
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply a protective mulch
Protect the crown of the plant in winter in areas that are prone to frost and cold. For short term protection a fleece can be used, otherwise fill mesh sacks with masses of straw and secure them over the plant's crown.
The 'traditional method' is to put wire or other netting over the plant, layer plenty of straw on top of this and then secure the whole with more netting.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.