Diphylleia spp.

umbrella leaf

Berberidaceae Eastern North America and East Asia

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Diphylleia spp. is a genus of three species of rhizomatous woodland perennials in the family Berberidaceae, native to eastern North America and East Asia. Plants rise 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) from stout creeping rhizomes, each flowering stem carrying one or two large, peltate, deeply two-lobed leaves up to 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) across, the blade umbrella-like and coarsely toothed. In late spring to early summer a branched cluster of white six-petalled flowers about 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) wide opens above the foliage. These are followed by oval berries that ripen deep blue with a waxy bloom on red-pink stalks. D. cymosa grows in the southern Appalachians, D. grayi in Japan, and D. sinensis in China; the petals of D. grayi turn translucent when wetted by rain. The bold foliage dies back fully by autumn, and plants need consistently moist shade, declining quickly where soils dry out.

Native Range

Diphylleia spp. is native to cool, moist deciduous woodland in two separated regions: the southern Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States and the temperate forests of Japan and China. Plants grow along shaded streambanks, seeps, and rich slopes.

Suggested Uses

Grown in shaded woodland and bog gardens, along stream and pond margins, and in cool shaded borders with rich moist soil. The large leaves form a coarse-textured ground layer beneath trees and tall shade perennials.

How to Identify

Recognised by large umbrella-like peltate leaves split into two broad coarsely toothed lobes, borne one or two per stem on rhizomatous woodland plants. White six-petalled flowers stand in branched clusters above the leaves in late spring, followed by blue berries on red stalks. The peltate twin-lobed leaf and blue-on-red fruit separate it from mayapple (Podophyllum spp.), which has rounder lobed leaves and a single yellow fruit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, from May to June depending on elevation and climate. The white flower clusters last one to two weeks above the expanding leaves. Blue berries on reddish stalks follow in mid to late summer and persist after the petals fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Diphylleia spp. grows in full to part shade in deep, humus-rich, consistently moist soil along the lines of its native streambank and seep habitats. Plants need cool conditions and steady moisture, wilting and going dormant early where soil dries or summers run hot. Rich leaf-mould and a cool root run support the large leaves, which scorch in sun or wind. The rhizomes spread slowly into clumps and are long-lived once settled. Cold-hardy through about USDA zones 4 to 8, the genus benefits from a winter mulch of leaf litter. Growth restarts from the rhizome each spring.

Pruning

No routine pruning is required. Tattered or scorched leaves can be removed through summer, and the spent foliage cut to the ground as it yellows in autumn. Self-sown seedlings or rhizome pieces are lifted in spring where clumps need reducing.

Pruning Schedule

fall