Skeleton flower is a somewhat unusual woodland perennial in the same family as the mayapple and southern Pixie Umbrella (Podophyllum cymosum1). Large, umbrella-like leaves cover the crown of the plant, making for an attractive ground cover as the plant colonizes shady areas beneath trees. But there is one unique quality that makes the skeleton flower a true conversation piece: In June or July, skeleton flower produces tiny white flowers that are initially ordinary, but turn colorless and clear as glass when wet.
This happens because the petals of the skeleton flower are so thin that they become transparent except for the intricate skeleton-like veining. As the flowers dry up, they turn a faded white. In early autumn, the reddish seed stalks develop clusters of eye-catching bright blue berries.
Skeleton flower is a slow-growing species that is normally planted in early spring or early fall. It can take years to grow into a small colony, but once established, it is a long-lived plant.
It’s best to buy established nursery plants from a nursery, but skeleton flower is an unusual specimen that can be hard to find outside of specialty nurseries—and they often sell out of limited stock very quickly. Sometimes the only option is to purchase and plant seeds, though this can be a tricky operation, as the seeds don’t germinate well and it can take a full year to develop a viable plant.
Skeleton flower is a woodland native to the colder mountainous regions of China and Japan. To grow this flower you will need to mimic those conditions: shady understory area under the canopy of deciduous trees, protected from strong winds, and growing in consistently moist, undisturbed soil that is rich in organic material from fallen tree leaves.
If you do manage to provide the right location, skeleton flower is quite easy to maintain. Throughout the growing season, just remove the dead foliage so that the new leaves can unfold without hindrance. Skeleton flower is not commonly affected by any serious pests or diseases.
Skeleton flower is very sensitive to harsh sunlight. It requires a shady location, preferably woodland, where it is fully protected from the hot midday and afternoon sun. Any direct sunlight it receives should be the morning sun.
The soil should be deep, rich in humus, and consistently moist yet very well-drained. Sandy soil with large amounts of organic material is ideal. To mimic the plant’s native habitat, where skeleton flower gets a constant supply of decaying organic matter, mulch the plant with an ample amount of compost or leaf mold every year.
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