Bowman’s Root
(Gillenia trifoliata)
Bowman’s Root (Gillenia trifoliata)
/
/
Staudengärtnerei Forssman
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Staudengärtnerei Forssman
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Staudengärtnerei Forssman | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: staudengärtnereiforssman | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Gillenia trifoliata, commonly known as Bowman’s Root, is a deciduous perennial herb or subshrub native to forest clearings and rocky outcrops in the Eastern USA, particularly the Appalachian region. It typically grows to 100 cm (39 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) wide. The plant features 3-palmate leaves and bears pale pink flowers with narrow petals and reddish calyces above red-colored stems, blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are moderately showy and attract pollinators. Bowman’s Root is very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to −20 °C (−4 °F) or lower.
In cultivation, Bowman’s Root is valued for its airy, graceful appearance and the delicate texture of its foliage and flowers. It is often used in border plantings, woodland gardens, and as an understory plant in shaded areas. While it can tolerate full sun, it prefers a sheltered position in partial shade, with acid or neutral soil. It requires medium amounts of water and can adapt to soils with slow, medium, or fast drainage. This plant has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its excellence for garden use. Potential problems include powdery mildew and leaf spots, though these are generally not severe. It is not known for aggressive roots or invasiveness.CC BY-SA 4.0
In cultivation, Bowman’s Root is valued for its airy, graceful appearance and the delicate texture of its foliage and flowers. It is often used in border plantings, woodland gardens, and as an understory plant in shaded areas. While it can tolerate full sun, it prefers a sheltered position in partial shade, with acid or neutral soil. It requires medium amounts of water and can adapt to soils with slow, medium, or fast drainage. This plant has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its excellence for garden use. Potential problems include powdery mildew and leaf spots, though these are generally not severe. It is not known for aggressive roots or invasiveness.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb, Subshrub
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to Eastern North American woodland settings, particularly forest clearings and edges, as well as rocky outcrops
Other Names
Common Names: Bowman’s-Root, , Indian Physic, Mountain Indian-Physic, Gillenia
Scientific Names: , Gillenia trifoliata, Porteranthus trifoliatus, Spiraea trifoliata, Ipecacuanha virginiana, Ulmaria trifoliata,
GBIF Accepted Name: Gillenia trifoliata (L.) Moench