Pachyphragma macrophyllum

Pachyphragma macrophyllum is a small, hardy perennial plant, easy to grow but little known, ideal for brightening up shady and moist areas. The plant forms clumps of elongated heart-shaped leaves in a bright and fresh green color, topped in spring with rounded umbels of small white flowers. It quickly establishes without being invasive, forming evergreen borders or charming carpets under trees or near water sources.

Pachyphragma macrophyllum is a rhizomatous and herbaceous perennial native to the undergrowth of the Caucasus and Turkey (at an altitude of 1900m (6234ft)), belonging, like cabbages and mustard, to the Brassicaceae family. It develops from a weakly trailing rhizome stump, forming clumps that can reach a height of 30cm (12in) when in bloom and a minimum width of 40cm (16in). While its growth is quite slow, its establishment presents no difficulty as long as it is planted in consistently moist to wet soil and away from the scorching rays of the sun. This plant blooms from March to May, depending on the climate, for about 1 month. Short floral stems emerge from the foliage, bearing flattened and rounded umbels of small white flowers with 4 petals, whose fragrance may surprise or displease. Its leaves, often evergreen, are thick, rough, shiny, strongly veined, and have a luminous green colour in the shade.

It is in shade or partial shade that Pachyphragma macrophyllum shines the most. For example, plant it in the understorey, under bushes or large trees, along paths or to highlight shaded flower beds. This charming little plant pairs well with narcissus, Euphorbia polychroma, Caucasian forget-me-nots, or hellebores. It can also be interplanted among hostas, to bring color to the shade before the hostas emerge in spring, or planted at the base of evergreen shrubs, such as Mexican orange trees or Distylium...