Linnaea Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners (Twinflower)
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 18th Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Linnaea (Twin Flower) plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Linnaea plants have delicate, fragrant blooms and trailing stems. Making a perfect choice for gardeners seeking a unique and enchanting ground cover.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers partial to full shade and a well-draining, humus-rich soil. Cool, temperate climates are best.
- General Care: Water regularly, ensure the soil remains moist but not soggy. Minimal pruning required; simply remove any faded flowers and damaged stems.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Twinflower is a forgiving plant suitable for novices, with it requiring little maintenance and being resilience. Ensuring the right shade and moisture levels are essential for optimum growth.
Twinflower: Cultivation & Garden Use
Linnaea is a hardy perennial subshrub native to woodlands.
They have small evergreen leaves and carry pink or white fragrant bell shaped twin flowers from the end of spring through to the early summer.
They are ideal plants to grow in a shady part of a rock garden.
The plant genus Linnaea borealis consists only one member, which is commonly known as Twin Flowers or Twinflower. While the genus was once larger, many plants that gardeners cultivate under the names of Linnaea cultivators and hybrids, such as Linnaea × grandiflora, really belong to the Abelia genus.
Linnaea borealis photograph by Mount Rainier NPS.
How to Grow Twin Flowers (Linnaea) in the Garden
It is best to grow outdoors from seeds. They should be sown into flats in a shaded part of the garden and covered in glass.
It can take a very long time (often years) for Linnaea seeds to germinate, so it is usually best to buy plants from a garden center (Twin Flowers are easier to propagate from established plants).
If you manage to produce Linnaea plant seedlings to grow, then transplant them, in either spring or summer, into a shady part of the garden. This should have a peaty wood soil that is very acidic (pH 4 to 5) and moist. Space out at 30 cm (12 inches) apart.
Linnaea Care
Once growing it is important to ensure that plants always have moist soil to grow in, so water frequently to stop from drying out.
If you require more plants, then Linnaea can be divided in the spring or take root cuttings.
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Linnaea Plant Growing and Care Guide
- Common Names: Twinflower.
- Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
- Height: 8 to 16 inches (20 to 40 cm). Prostrate.
- Native: Northern America. Europe. Asia.
- Growing Region: Zones 1 to 5.
- Flowers: Late spring through to early summer.
- Flower Details: White, pink. Paired. Bell-shaped. Fragrant.
- Foliage: Evergreen. Oval. Small. Opposite.
- Growing Outside: Usually grown from cuttings, divided plants, or nursery-bought plants. Seed: Cover. Late summer to early autumn; use fresh seeds. Spacing 12 inches (30 cm). Transplant outdoors following the last frost or in autumn. Seeds should be sown into flats. Next, sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. Keep an eye on the flats to ensure that the soil remains moist and to check if seedlings have emerged. Transplant the seedlings to their final location as they emerge.
- Requirements and care: Full or partial shade. Soil pH 4.0 to 5.5. Moist soil, sandy soil, peaty soil. Regular watering to maintain moist soil. Propagate: by dividing or by taking cuttings in the spring.
- Family: Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle family). Thus closely related species include Weigela florida Alexandra, Scabiosa, Dipsacus, Patrinia, Centranthus, Valeriana, and Cephalaria plants.
- Miscellaneous: Named after the Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus. Traditionally used by native Americans as a tea.
Common Questions
How many members does the Linnaea genus have?
The Linnaea genus is monotypic, meaning it contains only one species: Linnaea borealis, commonly known as Twinflower.
Do members of Linnaea make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, the Linnaea borealis can be a delightful addition to a woodland garden or shady border. Its delicate, bell-like flowers are charming.
Which Linnaea species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
As a monotypic genus, the only species grown is Linnaea borealis (Twinflower).
Are members of the Linnaea plant genus fragrant?
Yes, the tiny flowers of Linnaea borealis are known to have a subtle, sweet fragrance.
What is the perfect location to grow Linnaea?
Linnaea borealis prefers shady to partly shady locations with moist, acidic, and well-drained soil. It thrives under the canopy of coniferous forests.
Is Linnaea invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Presently, Linnaea borealis is not considered invasive in the USA. It is actually native to northern regions of North America.
How do I remove Linnaea plants from my garden?
Since Linnaea borealis is not typically invasive or problematic, there's usually no need to remove it from gardens.
Summary
The Linnaea genus, named in honor of the great Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, is a group of evergreen flowering plants under the Caprifoliaceae family. The only currently recognized species of this genus is Linnaea borealis, also known as Twinflower. It is a humble, trailing, and creeping perennial with a pair of delicate, bell-shaped flowers hanging from a single stem, embodying a touch of ethereal beauty in its simplicity.
Linnaea plants naturally thrive in the cool climates of Northern Hemisphere boreal forests and mountainous regions. Planting it demands a shady, well-drained spot with rich, acidic soil. The best time for propagation is during spring through division or cuttings. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods, but overwatering should be avoided. With attentive care, the captivating scent of its delicate pink flowers can be enjoyed from late spring to early summer.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Linnaea plants. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Dahlia, Freesia plant, and Endive plants.
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