Podophyllum Spotty Dotty

This is one of those plants that you don’t see every day, and when you see one it is a good idea to snap it up, because you might not see another for a long while!

Phodophyllum, or Chinese Mayapple are elegant, shade loving perennials with spectacular foliage that grows up to 40cm wide. The hexagonal leaves are lovely and glossy, they open in pairs on stems to 60cm. This variety is extra special, because, as the name ‘Spotty Dotty’ implies, the leaves have a lovely red marbling or spotted pattern. The leaves emerge early spring, like folded umbrellas, and will stick around until frost, gradually maturing to dark green.

Beneath these leaves, crimson, long petalled flowers hang in umbels of up to 10. The flowers don’t smell very nice, but you would have to lean down and get up close to find that out, they are pollinated by flies so know their audience! Each bloom is up to 5cm long. The flowers are followed by green, apple like, ornamental fruits (inedible).

Phodophyllum like a shady spot with humus rich, moist, well drained soil. Will cope in moist conditions and don’t mind clay soils. These woodland plants like similar conditions to Hostas. These plants resent disturbance and will be at their best once established.

Supplied as: Pots