Plant of the Month for Apr 2025

Peltoboykinia watanabei

Description and General Information:

This species is native to alpine woodlands of Japan.  The plants forms a low clump with leaves 30-50 cm high, and flower stems reaching 30-60 cm. Plants produce rhizomes and can eventually reach 30-60 cm across. The shiny leaves are palmate, rounded and deeply incised.  New foliage is often pink-tinted. The flowers are held in loose clusters.  Individual flowers are small, somewhat nodding and shuttlecock-shaped, creamy-yellow to yellow-green. The petals have distinctly fringed margins.

Blooming Season:

June to July

Cultivation:

Peltoboykinia is primarily grown as a foliage plant. It blends well with ferns, smaller hosta, hellebores and bergenia. This species prefers organic-rich, evenly moist but well-drained conditions in part to full shade.  Once established, it is reasonably drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant and humidity-tolerant.  Hardy in zones 5-8. It is not fussy in regards to the soil pH.

Propagation:

Larger clumps may be dug and divided in spring. Seeds require a stratification period but even then, may take up to two years to germinate.