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Herbaceous Perennial

Tolmiea menziesii

pickaback plant

A clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial to around 60cm tall forming a low mound or mat of hairy, rounded leaves with long stalks, toothed edges and five to seven lobes. Spikes of small, tubular to bell-shaped, green and purple-brown flowers to 1cm long are borne above the foliage from late spring into early summer

Other common names
mother of thousands
pickaback plant
see morepig-a-back plant
piggyback plant
thousand mothers
youth on age
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Brown Purple Green
Summer Green Brown Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Saxifragaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Tolmiea are herbaceous perennials with maple-like, palmately lobed leaves and insignificant purplish or brownish tubular flowers in narrow racemes in late spring and early summer

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in cool conditions in full or partial shade in humus-rich, moist soil

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, by seed in autumn or by removal of plantlets from leaves in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Trim back winter-damaged foliage in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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