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Northwest Blooms · Perennials

Syneilesis x hybrida

Shredded Umbrella Plant

Syneilesis x hybrida
Family
Asteraceae
Height
18-24 inches tall
Width
12-18 inches wide
Flower color
Pale pink to white
Foliage color
Silvery green, finely lobed and fuzzy, resembling umbrella-like leaves
Bloom time
Late summer to early fall
Light
Partial shade to full shade
Water
Moderate
Maintenance
Low; minimal pruning and cleaning up of spent foliage
Growing zone
USDA Zones 5-8
Wildlife
Attracts pollinators, particularly bees

About this plant

Syneilesis × hybrida is a unique perennial known for its deeply lobed, umbrella-like foliage that unfurls in early spring. The leaves emerge covered in a soft, silvery fuzz, giving them a ghostly, ethereal appearance that adds texture and interest to shade gardens. As the season progresses, the foliage matures to a rich green, creating a lush and elegant ground cover.

Originating from hybridization between species native to East Asia, Syneilesis × hybrida is valued for its unusual form and adaptability to woodland settings. In midsummer, it produces small clusters of pale pink to white flowers atop slender stems, adding a subtle, airy effect above the foliage. Though the blooms are understated, the plant's distinctive foliage makes it a favorite among collectors and garden enthusiasts looking to add a touch of the exotic to shaded areas.

Works well in

Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Containers

Companion plants

Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Astilbes · Heucheras · Siberian bugloss · Sweet woodruff

Design tip

Fall bloom is its strength, and it earns a place near a path or seating area used late in the year. Cooler light suits it, so tuck it on the north side of a shrub or wall where the soil stays even.

Where to see it

This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.