Jeffersonia diphylla emerging

Jeffersonia diphylla – This is the beautiful and choice North American woodlander called Twinleaf. A matching pair of open-faced kidney-shaped leaves set oppositely at the top of each wiry stem. Leaves often rise with a bronze to bronze-purple cast on folded leaves and stems turning green as they unfold and mature. Depending upon gene pool some individuals may maintain some bronze-purple in the lower portion of the stems. Pretty one-inch white rayed, sometimes cupped, ephemeral flowers occur in early spring. These are followed by the cutest and most curious seed pods. When the tops pop open they resemble tiny brown Jack-in-the-Pulpit flowers. When the tops pop seeds fly; fun for all the kids and childlike among us. The foliage and the seedpods remain good looking all season long. Small dried arrangements call for the inclusion of the empty nest. Fertile draining ground, essentially a decent woodland soil in dappled to open shade will suffice. If happy this fine perennial will accomplish modest self sowing. Lime may be beneficial though ours grow contentedly in our acid New England woodland soil. Jeffersonia diphylla is named for Thomas Jefferson. As to "diphylla" it could be argued that perhaps the only situation in which he might have been considered of two minds is on the subject of slavery. Naturally found from New York to Wisconsin, south to Alabama and Virginia. Established, potted Twinleaf from division.