Hardy, shade-loving, North American perennial Description: Distinctive round shield-like leaves unfurl in early spring; flowers are nodding, wax-like cups that spring from the forked stem in mature plants; yellowish, egg-shaped fruits or "apples" about 2 inches long Habit: Grows 12 to 18 inches in height; spreads by rhizomes to form colonies Culture: Prefers deep, rich, moist soil with plenty of organic matter and partial shade. Plant root tips just below the surface and mulch with well-rotted leaves. Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 3 Origin: North America Under most conditions these vigorous native perennials can carpet large areas of the forest with broad, dark green leaves which resemble parasols. The fruits, which form in May, also give it the common names Hog Apple and Wild Lemon. May Apples are associated with rich woodlands from western Quebec south to Florida and Texas and occur abundantly throughout the forests of Monticello. Fruits are food for wildlife (but the leaves, roots, and unripe fruit are poisonous to humans). This plant will ship bare root.Grade: #1.Bare root planting tips: If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center. Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery. Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
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