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Gillenia trifoliata (PORTERANTHUS) - INDIAN PHYSIC
Product Code:
GIL-TRI-X
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$9.99
Also known as American Ipecac or Bowman’s Root, this is a very lovely, slender-looking, underused and under-valued perennial.
This wildflower is very hardy, sturdy, long living, and quite adaptable to many different soils and even moisture (from clay-loam to rocky soils). It may take some time to establish, but it's worth the wait.
The medium-sized white flowers with five petals and red calyxes remind one of apple flowers or serviceberry (belonging to the Rosaceae family). This plant forms nice upright bushes that open somewhat wide, with the foliage developing a red color in the fall. Very similar to another great wildflower, Gillenia stipulata (Porteranthus stipulatus), which has small extra leaves at the base of each compound leaf. Gillenia trifoliata (= "three leaved") has only 3-part compound leaves.
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 Peony, Iris sibirica, and hardy Geraniums, but native plants are awesome fellows too - Asters, Heuchera, Penstemon smalii, Penstemon calycosus, Rudkeckia fulgida, Rudbeckia trifoliata, Silene virginiana, or Panicum virgatum. Aster is also a beautiful companion for autumn flowers and leaf color. 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: 2.5-3’ high x 2’ 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. Some organic material (decaying leaves, compost, hummus) is useful when planting. In cooler areas with enough moisture it will tolerate more (nearly full) sun.
Moisture Needs: medium dry, medium wet; established plants are drought tolerant.
Origin: 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.
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
Pot Size: 3.5" x 4" perennial pot (1.22 pt/580 ml)
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Gillenia trifoliata (PORTERANTHUS) - INDIAN PHYSIC
$9.99
Also known as American Ipecac or Bowman’s Root, this is a very lovely, slender-looking, underused and under-valued perennial.
This wildflower is very hardy, sturdy, long living, and quite adaptable to many different soils and even moisture (from clay-loam to rocky soils). It may take some time to establish, but it's worth the wait.
The medium-sized white flowers with five petals and red calyxes remind one of apple flowers or serviceberry (belonging to the Rosaceae family). This plant forms nice upright bushes that open somewhat wide, with the foliage developing a red color in the fall. Very similar to another great wildflower, Gillenia stipulata (Porteranthus stipulatus), which has small extra leaves at the base of each compound leaf. Gillenia trifoliata (= "three leaved") has only 3-part compound leaves.
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 Peony, Iris sibirica, and hardy Geraniums, but native plants are awesome fellows too - Asters, Heuchera, Penstemon smalii, Penstemon calycosus, Rudkeckia fulgida, Rudbeckia trifoliata, Silene virginiana, or Panicum virgatum. Aster is also a beautiful companion for autumn flowers and leaf color. 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: 2.5-3’ high x 2’ 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. Some organic material (decaying leaves, compost, hummus) is useful when planting. In cooler areas with enough moisture it will tolerate more (nearly full) sun.
Moisture Needs: medium dry, medium wet; established plants are drought tolerant.
Origin: 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.
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
Pot Size: 3.5" x 4" perennial pot (1.22 pt/580 ml)
