Follow the Skeleton Flower Growing and Care Guide to include these translucent blooms in your plant collection.
This beautiful perennial plant from Japan can be a magical addition to your garden. You can also have this plant in your garden by following this Skeleton Flower Growing and Care Guide, equipped with expert tips and tricks.
Did You Know: When it rains, the white petals of Diphylleia grayi become transparent like crystals. That’s why the name skeleton flower derives. When the petals dry, they become opaque again.
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Skeleton Flower Information
The skeleton flower (Diphylleia grayi) is a strange woodland plant that belongs to the same family as the mayapple and southern Pixie Umbrella (Podophyllum cymosum). It has big, umbrella-shaped leaves that cover the top of the plant, making it look pretty and spreading across shady areas under trees.
What makes the skeleton flower really interesting is its unique ability: During June or July, it produces small white flowers that start off normal but become completely transparent like glass when they get wet. People often find this unique feature fascinating and enjoy talking about it.
The petals of the skeleton flower become transparent when wet because they are extremely thin, revealing the intricate skeleton-like veining. When the flowers dry up, they change to a faded white color. In early fall, clusters of bright blue berries appear on the reddish seed stalks, catching the eye.
The skeleton flower is a species that grows slowly and is usually planted in early spring or early fall. It takes several years to grow into a small colony, but once it establishes itself, it can live for a long time.
Common Names: Skeleton flower, umbrella leaf, Asian umbrella leaf
Botanical Name: Diphylleia grayi
USDA Zones: 4a-9b
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Propagating Skeleton Flower
Skeleton flowers can be grown by dividing rhizomes and seeds.
From dividing rhizomes:
Diphylleia plants grow stems from their thick underground rhizomes. The most effective way to multiply them is by dividing these rhizomes. Dividing them every few years will also assist in revitalizing root clumps that have become overgrown. Here are the steps to do it:
- In early spring, dig up the entire rhizome clump using a shovel.
- Take a sharp knife and use it to divide the clump into sections. Each section should include a portion of the root crown.
- Replant the divisions in the desired location, ensuring that the crown side of each division is just barely covered with soil.
- If your aim is to create a colony quickly, plant the divisions relatively close together.
- Be patient, as these plants grow slowly, and it will take several years for them to become mature and establish a new colony.
From Seeds:
- Growing skeleton flowers from seed can be unreliable, but sometimes, it’s the only option when nursery-grown plants are not available.
- The seeds require cold stratification, so it’s better to store them in the refrigerator for a few months.
- Then, in late winter, about six weeks before the last frost date, plant the seeds at a shallow depth in trays filled with a seed-starter mix.
- Keep the trays moist and place them in a bright location, away from direct sunlight.
- However, it’s important to be prepared for disappointment, as only a small number of the planted seeds will actually germinate and sprout.
- Once the seedlings have grown, they can be transplanted into the garden after the threat of frost has passed.
- Another method involves planting the seeds directly in the garden during the fall season. This allows the winter temperatures to provide the cold stratification required by the seeds naturally.
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Growing Skeleton Flower in Pots
- Gardeners living in colder regions (zone 3 or colder) can grow Skeleton Flowers in pots.
- Use regular commercial potting soil enriched with plenty of compost.
- Any pot material is suitable as long as it has good drainage.
- During the growing season, keep the plants outdoors.
- When winter approaches, move them to a sheltered location like a cold frame or unheated porch to go dormant.
- As spring arrives, gradually increase watering and acclimatize the plants over a few days before permanently placing the containers outside for the summer.
- These plants grow slowly and rarely require repotting.
Note: Avoid trying to grow the Skeleton Plant as a typical houseplant since it requires a period of dormancy induced by cold temperatures in order to produce flowers.
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Ideal Growing Conditions for Skeleton Flower
Light
The skeleton flower is highly sensitive to intense sunlight. It needs a shady location, ideally in a woodland area, where it is completely shielded from the scorching midday and afternoon sun. If it receives direct sunlight, it should be limited to the morning sun.
Soil
Ensure that the soil for the skeleton flower is deep, rich in humus, and maintains a consistently moist yet well-draining. An ideal soil type consists of sandy soil mixed with ample organic material.
To mimic the plant’s native habitat, where it receives a constant supply of decaying organic matter, apply a generous amount of compost or leaf mold as mulch around the plant every year.
Water
To keep your Skeleton Flower healthy, ensure the soil remains consistently moist. During dry periods, water it deeply and slowly. It is best to use drip irrigation or soaker hoses for watering.
Temperature and Humidity
Skeleton Flower thrives in cool and temperate climates, typically found in zones 4a to 9b. It prefers regions with humid air and does not tolerate hot and dry summer weather. During winter, the plant dies back and benefits from a winter chill period to rejuvenate itself. In colder climates, you can protect the plant’s roots from potentially harmful frost-freeze cycles by covering the crowns with a thick layer of organic mulch.
Skeleton flower Care
Fertilizer
If your garden lacks sufficient natural organic matter from fallen leaves, you can supplement it by adding a half-strength diluted complete fertilizer during early spring.
Overwintering
When growing skeleton flower plants within their recommended hardiness range, they generally do not require extensive winter protection. However, in colder climates like Zone 4, applying a thick layer of mulch can be beneficial.
There is no need to trim off the leaves or plant stalks, as the dead plant material naturally contributes to the mulch layer, which aids in the thriving of these plants.
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How to Get Skeleton Flower to Bloom
- Patience is key when growing Skeleton Flowers, as it can take up to three years for a young plant to reach the stage of flowering maturity.
- If well-established plants are not blooming well, the most common reason is inconsistent moisture.
- Skeleton Flowers prefer damp soil, so it’s important to ensure that the soil doesn’t dry out.
- When planting a colony of Skeleton Flowers under shade trees, keep in mind that tree roots can absorb a significant amount of ground moisture.
- Therefore, during dry weather, it may be necessary to water the Skeleton Flower colony twice a week to maintain adequate moisture levels.
- Occasionally, poor flowering in Skeleton Flowers can result from a lack of nutrients.
- If the soil is not highly fertile or lacking in organic matter, feeding the plants with a spring fertilizer can stimulate flower production.
- Typically, in rich and organic soil, feeding is not a concern for these plants.
- However, in less fertile soil, providing a good dose of spring fertilizer can encourage the Skeleton Flowers to produce more blooms.