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Podophyllum delavayi

Podophyllum delavayi

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A perennial ground cover with exceptional tabular foliage, with a velvety, green marbled with red, purple, and bronze. Under its leaves, divided into 6-8 lobes, curious flowers of a bright purple-red bloom in spring. This rare plant, called "May apple" by the Anglo-Saxons, grows in partial shade, in moist, humus-rich, and well-drained soil.
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
25 cm
Spread at maturity
40 cm
Exposure
Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time May to June
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Description

Podophyllum delavayi (synonym Dysosma delavayi) is a perennial ground cover with exceptional tabular foliage, velvety in appearance, green marbled with red, purple, and bronze. Under its umbrella-shaped leaves, divided into 6-8 lobes, curious flowers of a bright purple-red bloom in spring. This rare plant, known as the mayapple among the Anglo-Saxons, grows in semi-shade in humus-rich, acidic soil that remains slightly moist.

Podophyllum delavayi, now classified as Dysosma delavayi, belongs to the Berberidaceae family. It is native to the high-altitude forests of central-southern China. This uncommon rhizomatous plant has a spreading habit. It reaches a height of 20 to 30cm (8 to 12in) with a spread of about 40cm (16in). In early spring, it develops deciduous leaves 20cm (8in) in diameter, umbrella-shaped, slightly toothed at the edges, divided into 6-8 lobes. They are chartreuse green and speckled with several shades: red, purple, bronze. No two leaves are ever alike. These leaves retain their colours late into the season, but they disappear on mature leaves. In April-May, on short red and velvety stems, fairly conspicuous pear-shaped flowers appear in bright purple-red. 3cm (1in) in diameter, they are pendant with elongated petals. They give way in summer to orange, fleshy and toxic fruits! The plant must establish itself well before flowering. It is hardy to -15° C or more.

Podophyllum delavayi or Dysosma delavayi grows in a humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil in a semi-shaded position. Like any woodland edge plant, it does not like windy conditions. This botanical curiosity should be showcased at the edge of a shaded bed, associated with Ferns, Epimediums, Solomon's Seals, and Arisaemas.

Flowering

Flower colour red
Flowering time May to June
Flower size 1 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour variegated

Plant habit

Height at maturity 25 cm
Spread at maturity 40 cm
Growth rate slow

Botanical data

Genus

Podophyllum

Species

delavayi

Family

Berberidaceae

Origin

China

Product reference1780111

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Planting and care

Podophyllum delavayi thrives well in semi-shaded and moist areas of the garden. Plant it in a soil that remains fresh, but well-drained, humus-rich, light, and free from limestone. During planting, add leaf compost. In cold regions, protect the stump in winter with a 20cm (8in)-thick layer of dead leaves mulch. Be careful in spring of slugs and snails that feast on the young leaves.

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Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Experienced
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Humus-bearing well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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