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Click for previous Image Image 1 of 3 Podophyllum pleianthum Chinese Mayapple
Podophyllum pleianthum 'Snowfall' - Chinese Mayapple from Quackin Grass Nursery

Podophyllum pleianthum 'Snowfall' - Chinese Mayapple from Quackin Grass Nursery

Podophyllum pleianthum 'Snowfall'

Chinese Mayapple

Plant Type:

SHADE PERENNIALS

Podophyllum pleianthum 'Snowfall' - ​This is the species with one notable difference: flowers are white to cream-white as compared to the usual striking blood red bells. They dangle from spaghetti-like pedicels at the v where the paired leaves meet, the crotch at the main glaucous stem which arises from the crown. Large lustrous leaves in a rich green shade stand 2 feet tall on this slow spreader. The bold peltate leaves can be up to 13 inches in diameter exhibiting 10 or more shallow lobes. This amazing herbaceous perennial is more clumping than spreading. And the leaves can remain beautiful right up to the autumn differing from out native Mayapple which succumbs to dormancy by mid summer. The plant we had been sold many years ago as Podophyllum versipelle according to Dan Hinkley is most definitely P. pleianthum. His astute assessment can be found in The Explorer's Garden, Rare and Unusual Perennials. Morning sun to open shade in fertile ground. 'Snowfall' arrived from Japan... the plant, not the storm. Established, potted Chinese Mayapple from division.


 


Height:

24-36 in

Spread:

36-48 in

Colors:

White

Zone:

(5a)5b to 8
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Podophyllum pleianthum 'Snowfall'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Spring

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer

Attributes

  • Woodland
  • Border
  • Collector Plant
  • Foliage
  • Grouping

Soil

  • Organic
  • Moist
  • Humus Laden

Origins

  • China

Propagated By

  • Division

Genus Overview: Polygonatum

Common Name: Solomon's Seal

These are the architectural Solomon Seals, all strong contrasting counterpoint to other denizens in the woodland/shade garden. Solomon Seals form spectacular colonies of upright arching stems from rhizomes just under the surface soil and leaf duff. Allan Armitage writes in his 2nd edition of Herbaceous Perennial Plants, “The common name Solomon’s Seal may have been derived from the circular sunken scars that remain on the rootstock after the leaf stalks die and fall off; the scar somewhat resembles a seal impressed on wax on official documents or letters in former times.” The simple leaves are obovate to elliptic turning yellow to golden brown in autumn before dropping. All prefer open shade to morning sun. When flowers are pollinated dangling blue fruits may develop on short paired pedicels along stems from leaf axils. All of the following offerings are by pot grown established division.