Twin flower or Linnaea borealis is a plant found in the cool temperature forest of the earth. It belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family, which is famous for its creeping vines and robust shrubs. However, the Linnea flower plant has some classic honeysuckle traits, like funnel-shaped flowers and opposite leaves.
Furthermore, it consists of delicately small and pretty Linnea flowers that grow ideally in open forests, open dry slopes, and heaths in the mountains across the northern hemisphere from Sweden, Siberia, and North America.
The plant’s scientific Linnaea name was chosen in honor of Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish physician, and botanist known as the father of Taxonomy. Carl Linnaeus’s favorite flower was Linnaea Borealis because of the beautiful traits of its flowers.
The twinflower plant doesn’t have a particular habitat; it can be found under moderate deciduous canopy even in moist and average soil conditions.
Moreover, the plant grows well in the shady part of a rock garden. Most of the time, the plant gets ignored, and people can’t figure out its existence. Whereas, when the pink and white twinflower flower blooms, it attracts most people’s attention and looks alluring.
Wherever it grows, it simultaneously adds more beauty and serves desirable views. If you are among those who find the Linnaea borealis plant beautiful, then read this twin plant guide and learn all about it. [1]
Facts About Twinflower Plant
| Scientific Name | Linnaea Borealis |
| Common Names | Twinflower, Northern Twinflower, Western Twinflower, and American Twinflower |
| Family | Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family) |
| Native Habitat | Grows in forested areas, and Cool, moist woods; peat knolls |
| Bloom Time | June, July, August, and September |
| Duration | Semi-woody Perennial |
| Bloom Color | Pink and white flowers |
| Pros | Fragrant and Conspicuous flowers |
| Height | 5cm to 15cm |
| Length | Up to 1m |
Twinflower – Linnaea Plant Details
The plants consist of beautiful pink nodding blooms at slander’s top and a hairy stem forked near the summit. Moreover, the funnel-shaped white flowers having five rounded lobes look fabulous, especially in the sunlight.
Additionally, the flower’s length is around 1/3 to ½ inches; it’s smooth and has small lines on the inside. Finally, the tiny calyx of the Linnea flower is sharp and densely hairy, whereas it contains five narrow lobes.
Leaves And Stem Details
The leaves are evergreen, opposite and oval. Further, the size of leaves is around 1/3 to 2/3 inch long whereas ¼ to nearly 2/3 inch wide. The leaves have numerous shallow teeth, sometimes are toothless; at the tip, the upper surface is sparsely hairy.
The stem is quite hairy, wiry, rooting down at the nodes forms large colonial mats and creeping along the ground up to 6 feet.
How To Grow Twin Flowers In The Garden?
The best way to grow a twin flower plant is through seeds. First, one needs to sow the seeds into the soil and leave for 3 to 4 weeks for roots establishment. However, watering and caring will be required accordingly.
Additionally, for propagating through seeds, you need to pick the spot shaded or covered. The ideal time to propagate the plant through seeds is in spring and summer. However, one must protect the plant from direct and aggressive sunlight. Also, the plant demands wood soil that contains 4 to 5 pH and must be well-drained and moist.
Therefore, growing Linnaea borealis through seeds takes long years to germinate, so it’s better to buy readily available baby plants from the market. Similarly, you can plant the established plants in your garden adequately and quickly propagate them further.
Propagation
Firstly, the seeds need to be sown after it ripe, better to do it in autumn. Similarly, use the sown seeds in any container or pot and leave for a few weeks. During the weeks, one must water the soil and check the growth.
When you observe that the plant becomes more extensive, then prick each seedling and grow them in individual pots.
Simultaneously, one can plant these at the final location accordingly. After a few years of proper caring and watering the plant, you can observe wonderful twinflower flowers in your garden.
Growing Conditions
Twinflower loves shady spots and dappled light. Additionally, it is best to grow on moist soil, whereas if the soil is dry, the plant can flourish either.
Rather than planting it separately, it’s better to consider the twinflower as ground cover. Its taller shrubs would combine perfectly with available plants and give your garden a stunning look.
Naturally, the growing speed of plants is quite impressive. Still, they don’t grow aggressively.
Cultivation Details
- The ideal location to cultivate the twinflower plant is a woodland garden, rock garden, ground cover, or any suitable shaded spot containing moist peaty soil.
- Further, the plant thrives best in pine woods.
- Acidic soil is suitable for growing twin flower plants.
- The bloom of plants consists wonderful evening fragrance that is like honeysuckle.
- Usually, the plant grows in cold areas of the world. However, it is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 6.
- The plant starts suffering physiological damage when the temperature increases over 86 degrees F (30°C). Similarly, it is essential to keep plants protected accordingly.
Caring of Twin Flower
At the time of cultivation, one must remember the soil should be well moist and well-drained. So, there will be the slightest chance that the is twinflower plant get dry; even in hot temperatures, it can survive.
Additionally, if you want to multiply the Linnaea plants, then propagation through roots, seeds, and cuttings is ideal. However, the best time is spring for propagation. You can find linnaea borealis plants for sale on online shops and from local vendors.
Lastly, that’s all about the Twinflower Linnaea Plant; I hope you find this twin plant guide helpful. If you want to learn more about other unique and attractive plants, feel free to tell us in the comments section.
Happy Gardening!!!
