Gillenia trifoliata 'Pink Profusion' (PORTERANTHUS) - INDIAN PHYSIC 'PINK PROFUSION'

Natural form of Gillenia discovered in the mountains in Virginia in 1987. Pink flowers, a bit darker bronze-red leaves in the spring, reddish stems.

Slower to establish, slow growing, but very long-lived and trouble free perennial.

Best in partial shade and somewhat cooler spot.

Trifoliate leaves, irregular star-shaped flowers, regular and slightly wider clumps, very slowly spreading wide.

Gillenia is also known as American Ipecac or Bowman’s Root. The name American ipecac is in reference to the medicinal use of the powdered roots of this plant as a laxative and emetic by Native Americans.

The genus name honors American botanist Thomas Conrad Porter (1822-1901).

Blooming Time: May-June
Size: Usually 2’ high x 2’ wide, in optimum conditions up to 3' tall and wide
USDA Zones: 4 to 8
Culture: half shade, light shade, dappled shade, dry-mesic, medium-moist conditions, adaptable to different soils - clay-loam, loam or rocky ground. Best in neutral or slightly acidic soil with some organic material (decaying leaves, compost, hummus) is useful when planting. In cooler areas with enough moisture it will tolerate more (nearly full) sun. In hotter climates require more shade.
Moisture Needs: medium dry, medium wet; established plants are drought tolerant.
Origin: Found in the wild in Virginia by famous plant man Paul James in 1987, the same year it was sent to Mt. Cuba Center and introduced in public as 'Pink Profusion' in 1997.

The species of G. trifoliata is native to the Northeastern United States and Canada, usually occurs in good quality habitats under the canopy of mature oak trees. Habitats include upland woodlands, rocky wooded slopes, upland savannas, and limestone glades. See the BONAP distribution map.
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes/yes, toxic to herbivores
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: Primarily attracts several species of native bees! Other insect pollinators include nectar-seeking butterflies, skippers, and bee flies
Attracts Hummingbirds: no

Plant combinations : Great for any sized garden, naturalizing in wildlife gardens, pollinator gardens, woodland gardens and edges, a medicinal garden or even rockery. It's also definitely worth trying in half-shaded public spaces!

It looks good with robust, coarse structural plants (native or non-native) – it has a similar flowering time to Aquilegia, Amsonia, Baptisia, Peony, Iris sibirica, and hardy Geraniums, but native plants are awesome fellows too - Asters, Heuchera, Penstemon smalii, Penstemon calycosus, Rudbeckia fulgida, Rudbeckia trifoliata, Silene virginiana, or Panicum virgatum. Other good companions can be Alchemilla, Anemone hupehensis, Astrantia, Brunnera, Bergenia, Chelone lyonii, Digitalis, Eupatorium rugosum cultivars,  Euohorbia amygdaloides, Gallium odoratum, Geum, Heucherella, Hosta, Phlox carolina hybrids, Phlox divaricata, Polemonium, Primula, Persicaria amplexicaulis, Pulmonaria, Stachys officinalis hybrids, Tradescantia, Tiarella, Viola. Grasses like Carex and Hakonechloa.

Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot

Picture copyright : Mt. Cuba