The first time you see a big healthy clump of Podophyllum pleianthum is a memorable moment, it's such a big glossy, alien-looking leaf. Hands down the most beautiful plant I'd ever seen was spotted in a container in my neighbor’s garden, I was awe-struck. I’ve planted a handful of podophyllum over the years but never ever in my wildest dreams did I ever think they could look like this…
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And they don’t! Mine struggle along, producing another leaf or two every year but that’s about it. This one, this one was something altogether different. So you know where this is going right? Yes that clump belonged to my former neighbor, Bridget, and is now in my garden. Two weeks in a row my “favorite plant” is a pass-along of epic proportions from a plant loving friend. Here's the clump shortly after I dug it out from her former garden...
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We discussed the ideal placement in my garden and since as part of the privet-lands project I'm getting a new larger (and sunnier!) stock tank "pond" I decided to drain the old one and fill it with soil. It was actually kind of reassuring to see that after four years filled with water this tank was still solid with no rust, just a little discoloration (that's a bit of water and soil in the bottom, I started adding potting soil and then thought to take a photo)...
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Tada!
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And here's how they look now. Pretty fabulous right? Thank you so much Bridget!
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A huge bonus of growing this plant in a container is that you can see the flowers, which are held under the leaves.
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About to open...
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I've been keeping an eye on them, enjoying watching their development.
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The stats on Podophyllum pleianthum:
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Here are my other podophyllums. The dark leaf I believe is Podophyllum 'Red Panda', I have a vague memory of buying it at a Leach Botanical Garden plant sale one spring. On the right is my other P. pleianthum, just a tiny thing.
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Hiding behind 'Red Panda' is Podophyllum delavayi, he's shy (or I just couldn't get a good photo of him).
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Unlike the above podophyllums which are clumpers it turns out Podophyllum peltatum is a runner.
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Yes it is! I planted just one in 2010...
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And now I've got, well, 17, 18, oh I don't know, a lot of plants! Of course I'm not complaining, I'm thrilled. So what looks good in your garden right now? Please tell us about it...
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
And they don’t! Mine struggle along, producing another leaf or two every year but that’s about it. This one, this one was something altogether different. So you know where this is going right? Yes that clump belonged to my former neighbor, Bridget, and is now in my garden. Two weeks in a row my “favorite plant” is a pass-along of epic proportions from a plant loving friend. Here's the clump shortly after I dug it out from her former garden...
We discussed the ideal placement in my garden and since as part of the privet-lands project I'm getting a new larger (and sunnier!) stock tank "pond" I decided to drain the old one and fill it with soil. It was actually kind of reassuring to see that after four years filled with water this tank was still solid with no rust, just a little discoloration (that's a bit of water and soil in the bottom, I started adding potting soil and then thought to take a photo)...
Tada!
And here's how they look now. Pretty fabulous right? Thank you so much Bridget!
A huge bonus of growing this plant in a container is that you can see the flowers, which are held under the leaves.
About to open...
I've been keeping an eye on them, enjoying watching their development.
The stats on Podophyllum pleianthum:
- hardy in USDA Zones Zone: 6 to 8
- grows to to 24" tall, individual leaves on my plant measure 12" across and the clump it's self is 36" wide
- light shade to shade with even moisture - not drought tolerant
- originates in Central and southeastern China
Here are my other podophyllums. The dark leaf I believe is Podophyllum 'Red Panda', I have a vague memory of buying it at a Leach Botanical Garden plant sale one spring. On the right is my other P. pleianthum, just a tiny thing.
Hiding behind 'Red Panda' is Podophyllum delavayi, he's shy (or I just couldn't get a good photo of him).
Unlike the above podophyllums which are clumpers it turns out Podophyllum peltatum is a runner.
Yes it is! I planted just one in 2010...
And now I've got, well, 17, 18, oh I don't know, a lot of plants! Of course I'm not complaining, I'm thrilled. So what looks good in your garden right now? Please tell us about it...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.