Skeleton Flower

Diphylleia grayi

Nature Hills Nursery

Watch Petals Transform Crystal Clear When Wet, Then Revert to Snowy White When Dry
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 1 ft Wide
Showy White Blooms in Late Spring
Pollinator-Friendly Annual

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Delivery and Shipping

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Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

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Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Wet Soils, Flowering, Container Friendly
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1 ft
Watering Needs	High
Growth Rate	Fast
Plant Life Cycle	Annual
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Botanical Name	Diphylleia grayi
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT

Have you seen that internet story about the white flower that turns crystal clear when it is rained on or gets wet? Well, it’s mostly true! Introducing the Skeleton Flower (Diphylleia grayi) which is a bulb plant that shoots up large leaves with pointed lobes like big green Sycamore leaves!

But the real star of the show is the single cluster of snowy white blooms with yellow pollen anthers that come up in the center of each foliage clump! These petals have a powdery coating that can become translucent or partially see-through when wet before reverting to white when dry. Pollinators love these blossoms and soon powdery blue berries replace the flowers.

These ship as bareroot bulbs flower in the summer and are hardy herbaceous perennials throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 9! Growing just 12-18 inches in height with a similar spread, these low-growing plants are fast growers and genuinely unique plants you'll certainly want to show off!

Planting and Application:

Skeleton Flowers are shade-loving ephemeral plants that look great flitting through the understory of rich, organic woodlands and shade gardens! The politely spreading roots form clumps of large leaves and mix happily with other woodland wildflowers like Trillium, Columbines, Ferns, and other shade garden residents!

Loving well-drained moisture, Skeleton Flowers resemble native Mayapples but with a unique trick up their sleeve on rainy days! Plant in Rain Gardens and moist shade gardens, or tuck these unique leafy gems in berms and shady Moon Gardens!

Single Cluster of Snow White Summer Blooms
Powdery Petals Turn Translucent When Wet & White When Dry
Large Pointed Fan-Shaped Leaves
Powdery Blue Berries In Fall
Low Growing & Politely Spreading Clumps, Woodlands & Shade Gardens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

A perennial plant native to Japan, the Skeleton Flower is best grown in moist woodland soil. Also doing best in partial to full shade, these tender perennials need protection from the hot sun. Provide a deeply mulched garden bed to keep them cool and their soil enriched. Provide regular water in average to dry sites throughout the growing season and trim back the foliage once it dies back in the fall after frost.

Full Shade & Partial Shade Locations
Moist Enriched Well-Drained Soil
Regular Moisture Needs & Mulched Beds
Prune In Late Autumn
Hardy Perennial Plant

Be the first on the block to have the magical Skeleton Flower! Order quality bulbs and bareroot at Nature Hills and we'll ship them to your doorstep at the proper planting time for your growing zone!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where to buy skeleton flowers?

Skeleton flowers are available as bareroot bulbs from specialty nurseries and online plant retailers. These unique perennials are hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and ship as dormant bulbs for spring planting. Look for Diphylleia grayi from sources specializing in shade perennials or woodland plants.

How hardy are Skeleton Flowers in zone 6, like St. Louis?

Skeleton Flowers are fully hardy in zone 6 and will reliably return each spring as herbaceous perennials. These Japanese natives thrive in zones 4-9, so St. Louis winters won't phase them. Plant yours this fall from bareroot bulbs available at naturehills.com for summer blooms next year.

What is the mature size and spread of Skeleton Flower plants?

Skeleton Flower plants reach 12-18 inches in both height and spread, forming low-growing clumps. These shade perennials are hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and spread politely through underground roots. Allow adequate spacing for their natural clumping growth habit in woodland gardens.

What soil type is best for Skeleton Flowers—loamy, acidic, well-draining?

Skeleton Flowers thrive in rich, organic woodland soil that drains well but stays consistently moist. These shade-loving perennials need the same humus-rich conditions found in their native Japanese forests. Plant them in well-amended soil with plenty of organic matter to retain moisture without becoming waterlogged.

Do Skeleton Flowers need full shade, partial shade, or sun protection?

Skeleton Flowers thrive in partial to full shade and need protection from hot sun. These woodland natives prefer the dappled light conditions found in their natural forest habitat. Plant them under trees or on the north side of structures for best results.

What are the watering and moisture requirements for Skeleton Flowers?

Skeleton Flowers thrive in consistently moist, well-drained woodland soil and partial to full shade conditions. These shade-loving perennials need protection from hot sun but require steady moisture to perform their signature translucent petal trick when wet. Plant them in naturally moist areas like rain gardens or enriched shade gardens with good organic content.

What is the shipping process for bare-root Skeleton Flowers?

Skeleton Flowers ship as bare-root bulbs and are hardy perennials in USDA zones 4-9. These Japanese natives will establish quickly in moist, shaded woodland conditions. Plant your bare-root bulbs in rich, organic soil with good drainage for best results.

Skeleton Flower

Diphylleia grayi