I'd probably get in trouble with someone if this email was about our
current President, so I won't even mention what an idiot he is. That way,
if there are any Republicans on my mailing list, they won't be offended.
After all, my mother still tells me not to discuss sex, religion or
politics with yada yada yada.
Anyway, I wasn't referring to our current President. I was
referring to our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, and the plant named to
honor his memory and all of the wonderful things that he's done for
agriculture and horticulture, Jeffersonia diphylla. You can read
more about Jefferson and his home Monticello at -
http://www.monticello.org/
Jeffersonia diphylla is an early blooming, long lived, shade
perennial that's extremely hardy and very easy to grow in virtually any
climate. One glance at the image and you'll instantly understand why the
common name is "Twinleaf".
At maturity, the height is 12" - 24". Its spread can be up to
24" and its imposing stature is almost shrublike. The pure white
flowers are about an inch across and although very ephemeral, they are
produced in abundance and make a striking display. One of the neatest
things about Jeffersonia is the unique seed capsules, however, I can't
find a picture to show you. Oh, oh! Wait a minute. I just found one
-
http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/image/j/jedi--frdevel34473.htm
Wish I could find an image of the capsules opening with the seeds
pouring out, but here's a nice botanical illustration -
http://www.science-art.com/gallery/11/11_8252004164753.jpg
I know of no insect, pest or disease problems affecting Jeffersonia
and the foliage stays attractive the growing season long, a very unusual
attribute for such an early Spring wildflower.
It's hard to believe that the genus Jeffersonia is in the same family as
Barberry, the Berberidaceae family. There are many other desirable plants
in this family such as Epimedium and Podophyllum and one of my other
favorites, Diphylleia cymosa -
//sunfarm.com/picks/diphylleiacymosa-115422.phtml.
A good image of Jeffersonia diphylla in flower can be found at
-
http://web.bsu.edu/fseec/environment/ECI/FloraECI/jeffersonia_diphylla_flower3.jpg
and an awesome close up at -
http://botany.wisc.edu/wisflora/pictures/xl_photos/JEFDIP_TSC_XL.jpg
A related Asian species exists, Jeffersonia dubia. You can
read more about Jeffersonia dubia at the North American Rock
Garden Society (NARGS) website -
http://www.nargs.org/potm/potm_may02.html
I've been selling Jeffersonia diphylla in 5" deep
treeband ® pots for $17.50 ea plus $9.00 for UPS. Over the last few
years, we've really put some effort into building a large stock so as to
be able to reduce the price and I'm pleased to tell you that we have
succeeded. The prices shown below include FREE SHIPPING on bareroot plants out of their 2" pots. If you would like to receive the plants undisturbed, in their pots, please add .95¢ per plant to cover the extra cost of shipping soil and pots.
2 for $ 30.00 delivered ($15.00 ea)
4 for $ 50.00 delivered ($12.50 ea)
10 for $ 95.00 delivered ($ 9.50 ea)
Please include your Postal and UPS addresses on a separate sheet of
paper with your check.
