Linnaea

( lin - NEE - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial flowers includes just one species, Linnaea borealis. These flowers, commonly used as small-space groundcovers, need partial to full shade and regular water to perform well. The fragrant flowers are pale and/or rose-pink and bloom in pairs at the end of stems that rise 3 inches above the basal foliage. Evergreen leaves are glossy, and the plants spread via runners. They enjoy being mulched, which will encourage more spreading behaviors. Linnaea is native to North America and is commonly found in Northern California up to Alaska and over to Idaho. The genus Linnaea was named for Carl Linnaeus and is a member of the plant family Caprifoliaceae, making it a relative of Vesalea, Abelia, Zabelia, and Diabelia. These plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 or Sunset growing zones A1-A3, 1, 2, 4-6 and 14-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Caring for Linnaea

Plant these small, creeping plants in a space in the garden that is relatively shaded. They prefer partial to full shade, and are typically considered woodland plants, growing in the understory of forests. They prefer soil to be rich in nutrients, well-draining, and to have a pH of between 5.0 and 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Water newly planted Linnaea regularly to help it develop a strong root system. Water new plantings regularly; at maturity, Twinflower appreciates consistently moist roots (but not waterlogged soils). Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Fertilizing will help to keep soil rich and increase drainage. Prune in late winter to early springtime, when the plant is still dormant. Stem tips can be cut back at this time. At any time, trim off runners that are headed towards areas where these plants are unwanted. These plants are perennials that typically last for a few years, but form colonies (Ganets) in the landscape that can persist for thousands of years.

Propagation

Linnaea, or Twinflower, can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Twinflowers, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Linnaea by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Linnaea by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Problems and Pests

Linnaea, or Twinflower, is typically free from pest and disease issues in the landscape. For information on commonly-encountered landscape issues, consult the following pages:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues