May Apple Plants For Sale
May Apple (Podophyllum peltatum) perennial are a true woodland treasure, offering charming umbrella-like foliage that brings a touch of the wild to any shaded garden. Each spring, they surprise you with delicate hidden blooms and later produce unique, golden fruits loved by wildlife. Easy to grow and highly ornamental, these plants create a lush, naturalized look that instantly elevates your landscape.
The May Apple is a charming native of the USA that grows across the forest floor in woodland ecosystems. This fairytale story plant produces two palmately lobed leaves atop slender stems reaching about 18 in height. In early spring, each plant produces one nodding cup-shaped white flower with delicate yellow stamens.
Once pollinated, the flowers develop into a fleshy fruit resembling a green apple, a characteristic which inspired this charming forest plant’s common name.
Often, these plants form a swath of individual stems originating from a single root system. These stems emerge from a creeping rhizome just below the soil surface. Some stems only bear one leaf and do not produce a flower; however, they contribute to the impressively dense and lush ground cover nonetheless.
May Apple Plant Details
Family: Berberidaceae
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Light Requirement: Partial sun to partial shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Height: 12 to 18 in
Spread: 8 to 12 in
Growth Rate: Moderate
Bloom Time: Late spring
Flower Color: White with yellow stamens
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract pollinators, and woodland animals consume their fruit
The fruit of this plant is ripe once it is yellow and becomes soft to the touch. In the past, the fruit was used to make delicious jams and other treats; however, all parts of the plant, including the fruit, are poisonous when eaten in large quantities.
Interestingly, the ripened fruit produces an aroma that attracts box turtles for a feast. After passing through the turtle’s digestive system, the seeds are 40% more likely to germinate than if they germinate directly from the fruit's fall.
Landscape Uses and Maintenance
The May Apple plant grows well under pine trees and prefers medium-moist, well-drained soils in partial sun. It is a plant that deer and rabbits tolerate and has no serious pest or disease issues.
It produces a lovely ground cover that will emerge early in the spring. After the fruit has ripened, the plant goes dormant in summer and will reappear the following year. Given the plant’s cyclical growth habit, plant it with other perennials that emerge and flower later in the year to keep your woodland garden consistently bursting with life.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Attractive to pollinators, fruit enjoyed by wildlife, and dense ground cover.
This charming, umbrella-like, native perennial will produce a lush green ground cover in your woodland garden year after year, ensuring that you have something to look forward to after winter’s slumber. Shop for Mayapple plants online at TN Nursery. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.
Customer Reviews
The Mayapples arrived vibrant and rooted easily. Their large umbrella leaves look stunning, and I can’t wait to see them spread over the years.
These plants are fantastic—healthy, well-packed, and already popping up strong. They’ve given my woodland bed a beautiful, natural look.
Mayapples are not flashy, but they definitely stand out. Mine are spreading slowly, and I think they’ll create a nice groundcover in time.
I planted them near ferns, and they look amazing together. The foliage is unusual and gives my shade garden a very natural woodland vibe.
Mayapples look really unusual, but they seemed fragile on arrival. I planted them carefully and hope they fill out more over time.
Can you eat the fruit of mayapple?
The fruit of the mayapple can be eaten only when it’s fully ripe and handled with proper knowledge. Unripe fruit and different parts of the perennial can be toxic. It’s best to consult a foraging expert before consuming mayapple fruit to ensure safety.
Are mayapples invasive?
No, mayapples are not invasive. They spread naturally by rhizomes, forming small colonies that stay well-contained. Their slow, steady growth makes them easy to manage in woodland and shaded gardens.
Do deer eat mayapple plants?
Deer rarely eat mayapple plants because the foliage has a bitter taste. This natural resistance makes them a great choice for woodland gardens in deer-prone areas. They thrive easily while staying largely untouched by wildlife.
Exposure
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) thrives in dappled or filtered light. It prefers the shaded understory of deciduous forests, where it acquires morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much direct sunlight can lead to reduced growth and leaf scorching.
Height at Maturity
Under 12"
Usage
Shade Plant
Shipped As
Bare-root
Ships
USPS
Planting Zones
3-8
How To Grow
How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Perennials, Tubers, and Bulbs
Bare root perennials, tubers, and bulbs are an easy and economical way to jumpstart your garden with lasting beauty. These dormant plants should be planted in early spring or fall while the soil is cool and workable. Before planting, soak bare roots in water for 1–2 hours to rehydrate them. Choose a location based on the plant’s light needs—most flowering types prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade.
For bare root perennials, dig a shallow hole and spread the roots out naturally, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface. For tubers and bulbs, plant with the pointed side facing up at a depth about two to three times their height. Cover with soil, gently press down, and water thoroughly.
Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) until new growth appears. Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering the crown or bulb tops. Once established, these plants require little maintenance—just seasonal watering, occasional dividing, and deadheading or pruning as needed. With proper care, they’ll return and thrive year after year.
