Perennial  •  $6, 4-inch pot

Height12 inches
Spacing8 inches
Sun ExposurePart Sun to Shade
Soil MoistureMedium to Medium Dry
Bloom ColorWhite
Bloom TimeApril, May
Companion PlantingsWood Poppy, Wood Phlox, Lady Fern
Special Attributes

Mitella diphylla

Abundant, delicate white flowers appear on stalks that rise above this plant in April and make for a beautiful effect, especially when planted in masses. This dainty plant can tolerate drier, fully shaded sites but prefers some dappled sunlight in soils with reliable moisture. Bishop’s Cap may slowly spread to form small colonies, but is easily overtaken by more aggressive plants, so include with some other garden-friendly woodland plants like Curly Styled Wood Sedge, Dutchman’s Breeches, or Toothwort. Small bees and flies visit the flowers, which offer both pollen and nectar.

Flowers give way to seed pods that look like a miter, a cap worn by Bishops, which is referenced by the common name. The genus Mitella even means “little miter.” Another common name is Two-Leaved Miterwort. By late spring, seeds are dispersed by raindrops that hit the mature capsules, causing them to bend down and fling the seeds as a method of dispersal. Freshly collected seed that is not allowed to dry out will germinate immediately without pre-treatment; otherwise, germination is slow and difficult.

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