Mayapple prefers rich, moist organic soil. On sites that do not offer evenly moist soil, it needs to be mulched heavily with leaf compost or chopped leaves and watered in dry weather. Otherwise, this plant is maintenance-free. Create new plantings by digging up pieces of the plant as it goes dormant and transplanting to the desired new location.
Mayapple is native to the woods of eastern and southern North America and provides a different look in ground covers for shade. When young, the plants develop only one large (1 foot across), shiny green, umbrella-like leaf. As it matures, Mayapple develops a pair of large leaves on a 15- to 18-inch stem. Its nodding, 2-inch-wide solitary white blossom appears at the fork between the two leaves. Later, the plant develops a large, yellow, egg-shaped edible fruit that can be used to make jams and jellies. Unless you’re looking for them, it’s easy to miss the flowers and fruits of Mayapple since they’re tucked away under the pair of leaves.
ZONES :3–9
BLOOM TIME: Spring to early summer
LIGHT: Part shade
HEIGHT: 15–18 inches
INTEREST: Handsome native plant with large leaves, white flowers, and edible yellow fruits
CAUTION: Although the leaves and roots have medicinal properties, they are very poisonous if eaten in large quantities.
Mayapple is a woodland wildflower and grows best in sites that mimic its natural home. The ideal location for Mayapple is on a moist bank or a raised knoll in the woodland garden so that the nodding white flowers and yellow fruits can be seen more easily. Use it as a ground cover under tall trees or beside large shrubs, and interplant it with other vigorous growers to create a tapestry of textures. In the far North, it will grow in full sun if the soil remains constantly moist but not waterlogged. Mayapple’s underground shoots ramble to form large colonies—so give it lots of room.
