A cluster of lavender flowers stands above lobed green foliage. The stamens stick out beyond the lobes of the flower. There is a bee in one of the flowers.
A cluster of white Virginia Waterleaf flowers is in the foreground. The stamens are longer than the corolla (flower tube) and they have filaments coming off of them.
Two lobed leaves of Virginia Waterleaf are coming out of the decaying leaves on the forest floor.
Numerous lobed variegated leaves (green and cream) have emerged from the decaying leaves.
Numerous deeply lobed variegated leaves are on the forest floor in decomposing leaves. They are pale green and cream and each lobe has a point on the end.
A large beautiful plant with pointy lobes is on the forest floor among the leaves. Each leaf is deeply lobed and has green and cream variegation.
Dozens of lime green Virginia Water leaf leaves are in a big area. They are a ground cover on the forest floor.
Deeply lobed, variegated leaves are among other species in the forest including a blooming bloodroot.
A cluster of white Virginia Waterleaf flowers is seen from above with the deeply lobed green leaves in the background.
A cluster of lavender flowers stands above lobed green foliage. The stamens stick out beyond the lobes of the flower. There is a bee in one of the flowers.
A cluster of white Virginia Waterleaf flowers is in the foreground. The stamens are longer than the corolla (flower tube) and they have filaments coming off of them.
Two lobed leaves of Virginia Waterleaf are coming out of the decaying leaves on the forest floor.
Numerous lobed variegated leaves (green and cream) have emerged from the decaying leaves.
Numerous deeply lobed variegated leaves are on the forest floor in decomposing leaves. They are pale green and cream and each lobe has a point on the end.
A large beautiful plant with pointy lobes is on the forest floor among the leaves. Each leaf is deeply lobed and has green and cream variegation.
Dozens of lime green Virginia Water leaf leaves are in a big area. They are a ground cover on the forest floor.
Deeply lobed, variegated leaves are among other species in the forest including a blooming bloodroot.
A cluster of white Virginia Waterleaf flowers is seen from above with the deeply lobed green leaves in the background.

Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)

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Virginia Waterleaf’s first leaves in the spring have scattered white patches on their upper surfaces. This is where the name “waterleaf” and “Hydrophyllum” come from. The spots look like watermarks and they fade as the leaf ages.

Leaves are deeply lobed or even compound. They vary from a dark green to a limey green. This plant can make a nice ground cover as it persists into the summer. They look quite impressive in a big stand. Keep decaying leaves around the plants: they like rich soil and medium well-drained soil.

Flowers are tubular and from white to lavender. The sepals have stiff looking hairs on the edges. There are five lobes on the corolla (flower tube). Stamens are quite long, sticking out beyond the corolla, and they have many filaments attached to them producing a decorated effect. Down inside the tube is the ovary.

The flowers of Virginia Waterleaf attract a lot of bee species. Once pollinated seed pods form, each with 1 or more large, roundish cream-colored seeds.

Plants may spread by rhizome and they also self-seed. Some sites say that this plant may not be good for a small yard.

VIrginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Virginia Waterleaf

height: 12-18 inches

bloom time: May-June

soil: medium, rich

sun: partial, shade

plant spacing: 12”

flower: white, pink, lavender

life cycle: perennial

family: Boraginaceae

Sizes:

Virginia Waterleaf’s first leaves in the spring have scattered white patches on their upper surfaces. This is where the name “waterleaf” and “Hydrophyllum” come from. The spots look like watermarks and they fade as the leaf ages.

Leaves are deeply lobed or even compound. They vary from a dark green to a limey green. This plant can make a nice ground cover as it persists into the summer. They look quite impressive in a big stand. Keep decaying leaves around the plants: they like rich soil and medium well-drained soil.

Flowers are tubular and from white to lavender. The sepals have stiff looking hairs on the edges. There are five lobes on the corolla (flower tube). Stamens are quite long, sticking out beyond the corolla, and they have many filaments attached to them producing a decorated effect. Down inside the tube is the ovary.

The flowers of Virginia Waterleaf attract a lot of bee species. Once pollinated seed pods form, each with 1 or more large, roundish cream-colored seeds.

Plants may spread by rhizome and they also self-seed. Some sites say that this plant may not be good for a small yard.

VIrginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Virginia Waterleaf

height: 12-18 inches

bloom time: May-June

soil: medium, rich

sun: partial, shade

plant spacing: 12”

flower: white, pink, lavender

life cycle: perennial

family: Boraginaceae

There are two other species of Hydrophyllum. This is the only one with such deep lobes in the leaves. There are other differences too and you can read about those on the species pages of Illinois Wildflowers . We do not carry the other species.