We always know that spring isn’t far away when our native mayapples, Podophyllum peltatum, emerges, as it’s doing now. This ephemeral groundcover, native to the entirety of Eastern North America, is a great garden plant, if you have the space. Unlike its Asian counterparts, it spreads quickly and widely, before going summer dormant as hot
Peltate Mayapples Read More »
We’ve been fascinated by mayapples of the genus Podophyllum, ever since first studying them in my NC backyard over 60 years ago. It was always a bit disappointing that they went dormant in late May, and often seem to be afflicted by several foliar diseases. It was not until three decades later (mid-1990s) that I
March flowers bring May Apples, along with a Taxonomic headache Read More »
We were delighted to have the amazing UK botanists, John and Soejatmi Dransfield drop by this week for a visit. Both are retired scientists from Kew Garden, where Dr. Soejatmi Dransfield specialized in paleotropical bamboos, and Dr. John Dransfield specialized in palms. It turns out that John also works with podophyllum in his retirement, so
Outstanding in their field Read More »
Despite the impending flooding late last week, Patrick, Zac, and I took off to the mountains of western South Carolina for a few days of botanizing. Despite the monsoon-like rains, we managed to visit seven amazing sites. Below is a highlight. One stop was at a giant granitic outcrop. The rocks are covered in an
Very Wet behind the Ears Read More »
Back in 2009, the since deceased Delaware Valley plantsman, Jim McClements, shared a may apple hybrid he’d created by crossing the US native Podophyllum peltatum with the Chinese native Podophyllum pleianthum. The offspring was named Podophyllum x inexpectum ‘Ruby Ruth’ (after his second wife). Our plant spent years in a much too dry a garden
When is a May Apple no longer a May Apple? Read More »
Here are some images of fruit and seed pods from the garden today. Come visit this weekend during our Summer Open Nursery & Garden Days, Friday & Saturday from 8 am – 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm.
Friday Morning Podcast Read More »
