Vanilla Leaf
Achlys triphylla
Vanilla Leaf is a perennial for groundcover, suited to shade and partial shade and loam, sandy soil or acid soil, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 35 cm |
| Spread | 45 cm |
| Aspect | shade and partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 6a-9b, RHS H6 |
| Pollinator-friendly | No |
| Pet-safe | Yes |
Where to use it in a border
At around 35 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 6a to 9b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, sandy soil, acid soil, pet-safe plants.
Border Builder uses Vanilla Leaf's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Fringecupto edge in front
- Mexican Honeysucklefor height behind it
- Western Wild Gingerto edge in front
- Aucuba 'Gold Dust'for height behind it
- Black Sagefor height behind it
- CA Meadow Sedgeto edge in front
Garden styles
Modern Shade cottage Woodland Xeriscape (low-water)
Sources
Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: