Gillenia trifoliata
(Bowman's Root, False Ipecac)
Family - Rosaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Eastern North America
Year of Introduction - 1713
Season of Interest - Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H7
Height - 90cm
Width - 50cm
Location - The White Garden
Description: A rhizomatous herbaceous Perennial with a bushy habit. Dark green trifoliate (ternate) leaves are held on red, upright stems. Clouds of white, star-shaped flowers are produced in early to midsummer and have red calyces that persist long after the flowers have dropped. The leaves turn vivid shades of orange to red in the autumn.
Named after Arnold Gillenius, a German botanist of the 17th century.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
Panicles of white, star-shaped flowers are produced in June. The flowers have red calyces that persist after the flowers have dropped.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Star-shaped flowers in panicles
Flowering time: June
Foliage:
Dark green, trifoliate (ternate) leaves with Dentate margins are held Alternately up the tall, red, vertical stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Trifoliate, ternate
Autumn Colour: Orange, red
Propagation:
Division, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in moisture-retentive, but well-drained soil. Will tolerate drier conditions once established.