The Miterwort, Mitella diphylla, is the jewel of the spring shade garden. Plant close enough to a path that the small flowers can be enjoyed up close. Welcome mitewort to shady gardens, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas.

This plant has a 20 to 45 cm long hairy stem. It bears two opposite leaves near the middle of the stem. There are other leaves, with long stalks, near the base of the plant. Its tiny flowers are only 3 or 4 mm across. Miterwort petals are delicately fringed and arranged in a long, terminal cluster. The fruit is a mitre-shaped capsule, giving the plant its name. It contains black seeds.

Quick Growing Guide

Botanical Name: Mitella diphylla

Also Called: Bishop’s Cap, Twoleaf miterwort

En français: Mitrelle à deux feuilles

Colour:

Blooms:

Sun / Shade:

In nature, you’ll find it in deciduous woods and borders.

a clump of miterwort in a shade forest

Comments

Leave a Reply

More From Gardening Calendar

How to Dry Herbs

Discover 8 steps to harvesting and drying herbs so you can enjoy your favourite flavors year-round. Learn the right time to harvest them, as well as the best way to store them!

Weeping Alaskan Cedar

The beautiful and fragrant Weeping Alaskan Cedar offers a conical form, soft & wispy foliage, and up to 30 ft of height – perfect for even the smallest of city gardens. See why this is a favorite among many and get design and planting advice from Ottawa's own Patricia.

Staghorn Sumac Is Dioecious

See a stunning display of color in the fall with Staghorn Sumac! These dioecious shrubs bloom with both male & female flowers, and produce showy pyramidal fruiting clusters. Enjoy its velvety, antler-like branches and hard-to-cover areas with poorer soils or naturalize your area with this adaptable and low-maintenance shrub.

How To Make A Terrarium

Making a terrarium is likely easier than you think. You can assemble them in minutes and enjoy them for months. Here are six easy steps.