Spotty Dotty and friends

 Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty' may be the most dramatic plant in my garden.  

Even the stem is lovely covered in soft fuzz. But in four years Spotty has not really gotten a lot bigger, making me question its price as well as wonder how long it took to develop the large clumps I've seen in garden publications.  Now I know the answer. 

Last year I noticed seedlings near the mother plant and this year, one of them has multiple leaves and stems. 

There are eight separate seedlings scattered near momma, which means a big healthy clump is slowly growing around my original plant. 

The wide variety in seedling sizes suggests it will definitely take a few years at the very least before any two plants are big enough to touch each other! 

Then again, given how early the leaves start to develop patterning, it should be a pleasant wait.

Comments

[Barbara H.]

The new babies are encouraging. I have mayapples in my woods and it seems like the large clump sometimes moves location a little and also changes in size. It's always exciting to see them, even though they are not as dramatic as Spotty Dotty.

[Kris P]

Baby plants are (almost) always a good thing! I'm glad your investment was better than you'd thought.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

It seems that my regular May Apples took forever to start multiplying then when they did they have done quite well. Good luck with these little beauties.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

Woah, that is dramatic! I'm glad you're getting some new starts from it. Seems like it would be a great groundcover--as the straight species is, but with even more drama.

[Frank]

Baby pictures are always adorable. I think in a few years you'll look back in amazement at how small your clump used to be, and it will be interesting to see the variations in the kids!

[Loree / danger garden]

Congrats! That's exciting. It's interesting watching the babies pop up around my podophyllum, wondering what coloring they'll eventually take on.