Syneilesis Aconitifolia

Syneilesis aconitifolia,

Common Name: shredded umbrella plant,

Syneilesis Aconitifolia is an herbaceous perennial of the aster family that is native to hillside forest margins and slopes in China, Korea, Japan and eastern Russia. This is a unique and beautiful plant that is primarily grown in shaded areas for its attractive foliage. Peltate leaves on stiff stems pop out of the ground in spring in a manner reminiscent of mayapples (Podophyllum). Each young leaf resembles a small, upright, unopened umbrella covered with attractive, silvery-white, woolly hairs. As the young leaves grow larger, the silvery-white hairs disappear as each leaf slowly opens like an umbrella into 7-9 palmately-parted deeply-dissected segments (forked divisions with serrated edges). Dinner plate-sized mature leaves (each to 10” across) purportedly resemble shredded umbrellas, hence the common name. Leaves form a medium to dark green canopy to 18-24” tall. Pinkish-white florets (each to ¼” across) bloom in June-July in corymbs atop striated purple stems that rise well above the foliage to 3’ tall. Individual flowers are very small, very un-aster like and not particularly showy from a distance, but are interesting up close.

Zone: 4 to 8

Height: 1.50 to 3.00 feet

Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet

Bloom Time: June to July

Bloom Description: Pinkish-white

Sun: Part shade to full shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Naturalize

Flower: Showy

Tolerate: Drought