Jeffersonia diphylla
Rheumatism root, Ground squirrel tea, Helmet pod, American twinleaf
- Height × spread
- 0.2m × 0.3m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This delightful plant has almost pure white flowers that are shaped like simple cups with greenish-yellow centres, held above the foliage. The flowers are produced in May. The leaves are rather curious, being divided almost into two so that they look a bit like a butterfly. The plant was named in honour of Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States (1801-09) who was a keen gardener.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Brown-bronze
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.2m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Shady court
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn · Outdoors
Apply mulch
Use bark chips or leaf mould to add an organic mulch around the crown of the plant.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Spring
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.