Handsome Harry

(Rhexia virginica)

Handsome Harry (Rhexia virginica)

Joshua Mayer from Madison, WI, USA

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Joshua Mayer from Madison, WI, USA

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Joshua Mayer from Madison, WI, USA | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0 | Uploader: Innotata | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Virginia_Meadow_Beauty_(Rhexia_virginica)_(42921392652).jpg | Notes: ''[[Rhododendron canadense]]'' *author ~~~ *Bothanic Garden, [[Poznań]] {{GFDL}} |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Rhexia virginica, commonly known as Handsome Harry, is a perennial herb that can be deciduous or semi-deciduous, depending on the climate. It is native to wet meadows, savannas, and open pine barrens in the Eastern United States, as well as parts of Ontario and Nova Scotia. This plant typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters) and a width of 1 foot (0.3 meters). Handsome Harry is characterized by its square, erect stems and lance-shaped leaves, with showy flowers that are pink, purple, or white, blooming profusely in the summer and fall. The flowers are notable for their prominent yellow stamens, which add to their attractiveness.

Handsome Harry is valued for its striking flowers and ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making it a beneficial addition to native plant gardens, rain gardens, and wetland restoration projects. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers consistently moist to wet soils with slow to medium drainage, mimicking its natural boggy habitat. While it is not commonly used in traditional landscaping, its ease of maintenance and tolerance of wet conditions make it a suitable choice for naturalistic plantings. Gardeners should be aware that Rhexia virginica can spread by rhizomes and may require management to keep it within bounds. It is not typically associated with serious diseases or pests, but can suffer in conditions that are too dry for its liking.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 1-2 feet
Width: 0.5-1 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Pink, Purple
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium, High
Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wet meadows, savannas, and open pine barrens

Other Names

Common Names: Virginia Meadow Beauty , Common Meadow Beauty , Virginia Meadow-Beauty , Rhexie De Virginie , Rhéxie De Virginie , Skär Ankarblomma

Scientific Names: Rhexia virginica , Rhexia virginica var. virginica , Rhexia virginica var. purshii , Rhexia stricta , Rhexia purshii , Rhexia septemnervia , Rhexia virginica var. septemnervia

GBIF Accepted Name: Rhexia virginica L.