Syneilesis aconitifolia BSWJ 879

Shredded Umbrella Plant Asteraceae

Syneilesis aconitifolia BSWJ 879 is an exceptionally good form of the so-called shredded umbrella plant, grown as much for its extraordinary foliage as for its rather inconspicuous flowers. In spring the new leaves emerge upright and tightly folded, like little umbrellas waiting to be opened, clothed in a conspicuous covering of silvery hairs. They gradually expand into large, almost circular leaves, deeply dissected into elegant lobes, and eventually form a handsome mound of fern-like foliage. The effect is particularly good in shade, where the finely cut leaves catch the light beneath trees and shrubs. The RHS records the species as reaching around 1–1.5 m in flower. 

This particular clone, BSWJ 879, is a Crûg Farm collection, and has been maintained and distributed under that collection number for many years. It appears in the Crûg Farm catalogues dating back to at least 2007, listed specifically as Syneilesis aconitifolia BSWJ 879,

The species itself is native across China, Korea, the Russian Far East and Japan, growing as a rhizomatous perennial of temperate woodland and other shady habitats. Kew accepts Syneilesis aconitifolia (Bunge) Maxim., originally described as Cacalia aconitifolia by Alexander von Bunge in 1833. The specific epithet aconitifolia means “with leaves like Aconitum”, an apt description of the deeply divided foliage. 

The flowers are almost an afterthought. Tall, slender stems rise above the foliage in late summer, carrying branching clusters of small mauve to purplish tubular flowers. It is the foliage that makes BSWJ 879 special, however, and the plant is particularly effective when combined with ferns, Hosta, Polygonatum, Disporum and other choice woodland plants. Once established, it makes an unusually architectural groundcover without becoming the coarse thug that some large-leaved Asteraceae can become.

Interestingly, the RHS specifically recommends S. aconitifolia for dry shade, provided the soil is humus-rich and well drained, although it performs particularly well with some summer moisture. Winter wet is more problematic than summer drought. 

Cultivation: Partial shade to full shade in humus-rich, fertile soil. Surprisingly tolerant of dry shade once established, but avoid permanently waterlogged ground. Allow the handsome emerging foliage plenty of space to develop. Propagate by seed or division.

Height: 1.2–1.5 m
Spread: 50–80 cm
Flowering period: August–September
Position: Partial shade to shade
Soil: Humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well drained
Hardiness: H7
Family: Asteraceae
Common name: Shredded umbrella plant
Collection: BSWJ 879 — Korea; Bleddyn & Sue Wynn-Jones collection