Podophyllum delavayi

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Chinese mayapple

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Chinese mayapple RHS

Other common names

Delavay's mayapple

Synonyms

Podophyllum veitchii
Dysosma veitchii

Herbaceous Perennial
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A rhizomatous perennial producing circular leaves up to 30cm across with deep, jagged lobes. These emerge heavily bronzed in spring, changing to very dark green mottling with age. Clusters of narrow, hanging, dark red flowers are produced below the leaves in summer, followed by black fruit

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Berberidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Podophyllum are rhizomatous perennials with lobed leaves, varying in shape from hexagon to starburst, with a central stem. The leaves are thick and textured, with prominent veins and often marbled or mottled in shades of green and brown. The flowers are cup- or bell-shaped, upright or hanging, in red, pink or white, and may be followed by red or yellow fruit
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
W China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, leafy, moist soil in full or partial shade, sheltered from wind

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in an open frame as soon as ripe, or by division in spring or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Sub-tropical
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Banks and slopes

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Emerging leaves may be damaged by slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free