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Hydrophyllum virginianum | Virginia waterleaf


This plant is not currently available, however, propagation is planned/underway. Please sign up for the waitlist below to receive updates on availability.


Don't let the name fool you, Virginia waterleaf is a native woodlander, not an aquatic plant. The name actually refers to the white spots on the leaves which supposedly resemble water stains.

Small white or blue flowers dance above the mottled leaves from May to June. Young shoots and leaves are edible, giving the plant two of its common names: John's cabbage and Shawnee salad. 

Zones: 4 to 8 
Family: Hydrophyllaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 12 to 24 in.
Spread: 12 to 24 in.
Exposure: part shade
Soil Conditions: moist, well-drained
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Color: white or blue 
Native Range: eastern North America

Special Characteristics
  • Edible
image credits

Great Lakes image collection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,  http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/image/viz_native4.html
H. ZellCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USACC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Eastern waterleaf foliage and flowers
Eastern waterleaf foliage and flowers
Eastern waterleaf foliage
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seedling image

Hydrophyllum virginianum | Virginia waterleaf

We are slowly creating a seedling image library to help make weeding easier.
garden location coming soongarden location coming soon