Jewelweed

Jewelweed is a succulent-stemmed annual wildflower found in moist, shady habitats across eastern North America. Its common name refers to the way water beads up silvery on its leaves, and its other name, touch-me-not, comes from ripe seed pods that explosively eject seeds when touched.

The orange, trumpet-shaped flowers hang like earrings and are a favorite of ruby-throated hummingbirds and bees, which pollinate them as they feed.

• Flowers: Orange with reddish-brown spots, about 1 inch long, with a curved nectar spur, dangling on slender stalks
• Leaves: Oval, soft, blue-green, with toothed margins; repel water so droplets bead up
• Stems: Translucent, juicy, and hollow, often reddish at the nodes; 2-5 feet tall
• Seed pods: Plump green capsules that spring open explosively when ripe
• Habit: Branching annual that forms dense stands

Jewelweed is easy to grow where conditions are moist and shaded, but it must reseed itself each year as a true annual.

• Light: Partial to full shade
• Water: Needs consistently moist to wet soil; wilts quickly when dry
• Soil: Rich, damp, humusy soil
• Temperature: Frost-tender annual; dies back at first frost
• Feeding: Not needed in rich soil
• Propagation: By seed only; it self-sows abundantly and can be sown directly outdoors in fall

Jewelweed is native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Canada south to the Gulf states.

It naturally grows along stream banks, in wet ditches, floodplains, seeps, and the moist margins of woodlands. It often forms large colonies in the dappled shade of damp lowlands.