Jeffersonia

Jeffersonia is a genus belonging to the Berberidaceae and consisting of just two species (though I have seen 4 cited, two of these ‘binata’ and ‘bartonensis’ are synonyms). They are dwarf, herbaceous perennials with one species (blue, dubia) native to eastern Asia (Russia, China, Korea) and one (white, diphylla) native to eastern North America. The American species appears to be confined to rich deciduous forests over limestone.

Both species are readily grown, though a little slow to establish sometimes, in a well drained, moisture-retentive leafy or humus-rich soil in part shade. They make excellent companion plants for Erythronium, Paris, Podophyllum (in which Jeffersonia was once wrongly included), Sanguinaria and Trillium. They emerge and flower in late spring, before any overhead forest canopy becomes confluent. Seed ripening and plant dormancy follows in early summer. The seeds, which have a short shelf-life unless kept moist, are myrmecochorous (dispersed by ants).

Jeffersonia is named for the third United States President, Thomas Jefferson (1745-1826).

Available for ordering from both our Autumn and Spring lists.