Twinflower

Although this genus consists of a single species, Linnaea borealis, there are three distinct geographical variations of it found throughout the northern hemisphere. Its native range is circumboreal, meaning it's got a worldwide range in the boreal ecozone, which includes native regions in every province in Canada. It is also one of the very few members of the honeysuckle family that grows more like a perennial rather than as a typical woody shrub.

Evergreen and tiny, this wee plant is only about 4” tall when in bloom and spreads via creeping stems. The diminutive leaves are shiny and less than 1 cm long. The flowers are whitish to pale pink, always held in pairs on a single stem. They are very pretty and produced in great profusion, appearing in early summer, usually June and July. Anyone who has ever found a clump of these in bloom while walking in the woods has been delighted by them.

Often found in open woods and along riverbanks, twinflower is very rarely cultivated. It is sometimes finicky, and it has very shallow roots that dry out quickly. It will not tolerate wind or drying out so make sure to replicate the leafy mulch soil covering that would protect this plant in its natural woodland habitat. Cuttings can be rooted with a bit of luck and it can make a very welcome addition to a moist woodland garden, though it can also be quite slow to establish.

This is also the only plant that Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus chose to name after himself. Linnaeus is responsible for the system of scientific names and nomenclature that we still use today. It was his favorite flower and became his personal symbol.