Twinflower
Linnaea borealis
Also listed as Linnaea serpyllifolia, Obolaria borealis
Also known as American Twinflower, Western Twinflower, Northern Twinflower
Climate Match for your location
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A delicate creeping groundcover with paired heart-shaped leaves and twin pink or white bell-shaped flowers on slender stems. Ideal for woodland gardens and shaded areas where it forms attractive mats.
Why grow it
Twinflower offers reliable, fine-textured groundcover performance in deep shade and acidic soils where many competing species struggle. Unlike coarser woodland groundcovers, its delicate paired flowers and low profile make it useful for detailed woodland plantings without dominating the visual plane. It requires minimal intervention once established in appropriate conditions.
Watch out for
Twinflower is particular about soil chemistry and moisture; it performs poorly in neutral or alkaline soils and dislikes prolonged drought. In regions outside its native range, establishment can be slow and variable, so initial planting density and site preparation merit careful attention.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere: North America, Europe, and Asia
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A delicate creeping groundcover with paired heart-shaped leaves and twin pink or white bell-shaped flowers on slender stems. Ideal for woodland gardens and shaded areas where it forms attractive mats.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Twinflower grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Twinflower offers reliable, fine-textured groundcover performance in deep shade and acidic soils where many competing species struggle. Unlike coarser woodland groundcovers, its delicate paired flowers and low profile make it useful for detailed woodland plantings without dominating the visual plane. It requires minimal intervention once established in appropriate conditions.
Watch out for
Twinflower is particular about soil chemistry and moisture; it performs poorly in neutral or alkaline soils and dislikes prolonged drought. In regions outside its native range, establishment can be slow and variable, so initial planting density and site preparation merit careful attention.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere: North America, Europe, and Asia
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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