Linnaea borealis

RHS Plant Profile
twinflower

Other common names

cinnamon vine, deer vine, eglantine, twin sisters

Shrubs

A creeping, mat-forming shrub with small, glossy, dark green leaves with buff undersides. In summer pairs of small, pale pink, nodding, bell-shaped flowers are produced from the tips of leafy side shoots. Overall the plant is only 8cm high, but can spread to a metre or more across

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Linnaea are creeping, mat-forming shrubs, rooting as they go. They have neat, evergreen foliage and small, bell-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Temp. N. Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, reliably moist, acid soil in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn, by taking softwood cuttings in early summer or by potting up rooted runners between autumn and spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Rock garden
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free