Gillenia (Porteranthus) trifoliata
Gillenia trifoliata is worthy of more attention with elegant white flowers with wine-red sepals like a Gaura for shade.
Gillenia (Porteranthus) trifoliata is a graceful perennial that deserves to be in more gardens. The leaves are arranged in threes along wiry stems, topped by loose panicles of airy white flowers emerging from tubular wine-coloured sepals. Think of it as a butterfly gaura for the shade garden. Bowman’s root is native to eastern North America and was traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Part sun to light shade in average to moist well-drained soil. Good fall colour in shades of bright to golden yellow with orange highlights. A native of Ontario. Visited by butterflies. Deer resistant.
Common Name: Bowman’s Root
Family: Rosaceae (The Rose Family)
Zone Hardiness: 4-9
Light: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
Height: 2-4'
Width: 12-24"
Primary Bloom Colour: White/Cream
Secondary Bloom Colour: Red
Bloom Time: Summer
Foliage Colour: Green, Good Fall Colour
Class: Deciduous
Type: Perennial
Soil Moisture: Average, Moist
Stem Colour:
Fragrance: No
Berries:
Benefits: Butterflies
Deer Resistant: Yes
BC Native: No
Native Habitat: Rocky open woods, rich woods, rocky slopes, and forest edges from Ontario south through much of the eastern US.
Award: GPP, AGM
Geographical Origin: North America
