Other Names:  Indian Mayapple, syn. Podophyllum emodi

Description:

A wonderful clumping variety with large lobed umbrella shaped leaves that emerge burgundy-copper and mature to dark green; lovely, upward facing pale pink flowers in spring; protect from spring frosts in colder areas

Ornamental Features

Himalayan Mayapple's attractive glossy lobed leaves emerge coppery-bronze in spring, turning dark green in color throughout the season on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. It features bold shell pink cup-shaped flowers with white overtones rising above the foliage in mid spring.

Landscape Attributes

Himalayan Mayapple is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Himalayan Mayapple is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Himalayan Mayapple will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division.

Himalayan Mayapple is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.