Podophyllum 'Kaleidoscope' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

mayapple 'Kaleidoscope'

Synonyms

Dysosma 'Kaleidoscope'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A rhizomatous perennial with variegated hexagonal or star-shaped leaves, symmetrically marbled and spotted in a mix of dark, mid- and pale, silvery green. Narrow, hanging, dark red flowers appear in clusters under the leaves in early summer, followed by yellow fruit

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 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): H5

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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Emerging leaves may be damaged by slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free