Jeffersonia

Jeffersonia are not widely sold in Australia Nurseries however they do have many desirable characteristics and if you has a shady moist position they are deserving of some thought. Look for Jeffersonia dubia is the Asian species used in Chinese herbal remedies as well as a garden plant while Jeffersonia diphylla is from North America.

Grow them in a woodland situation beneath deciduous trees, or near the drip line of evergreen trees. You will be rewarded by the foliage as well as the masses of attractive flowers which cover the plant in spring.

The flowers rise above the foliage and are followed by greenish seed pods.

Jeffersonia Varieties

• J. dubia will reach around 25 – 30 cm, is slow growing and prefers a humus rich soil in dappled shade. Largish cup shaped flowers white with just a tinge of blue. Foliage is rounded and deeply divided.
• J. diphylla has large creamy white flowers with 8 separated petals. The leaves are interesting, heavily divided, neatly in two, hence the name ‘Twin Leaf’.

Care

Both species require shade and a little moisture.

• Dig in well rotted compost.
• Ensure that drainage is good.
• Plant and water in with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.

Jeffersonia plants are available formsale from the following nurseries

CLOVER HILL PLANTS - 02 4782 9225
Large variety of Epimediums, Woodland plants and Herbaceous perennials
Mail order or nursery. We do not send to Tasmania or WA
www.cloverhillrareplants.com