Jeffersonia – Twinleaf

Jeffersonia 

slow growing, rare shade plant related to the family berberidaceae. The name is in honor of Thomas Jefferson, who was President of the United States from 1801 to 1808. He was a passionate plant lover and was very interested in botanic. There are only two species of jeffersonia. The asian species Jeffersonia dubia is hardly widespread and is rarely commercially available. Jeffersonia diphylla comes from the deciduous forests of North America and grows somewhat stronger. They like rich, not too dry soil in the shade. Then after a few years they thank it with lush clumps.

Jeffersonia diphylla

One of the few plants that catches the eye just as it blooms. The young shoots and leaves are transparent red. Later the wax-white flowers appear with yellow stamens, after which the shield-shaped, two-lobed leaves develop.

Jeffersonia dubia

The rare, blue-flowered Asian counterpart to the well-known Jeffersonia diphylla. The kidney-shaped, round leaves are slightly toothed and have a purple hue in spring. The enchanting flowers come soon afterwards and have a soft lavender blue color. A beautiful, slowly growing shade plant for which you have to be patient.