Overview

Clintonia borealis is a plant with a clump-forming habit in the genus Clintonia, part of the Liliaceae family, with glossy foliage. Clintonia borealis grows best in full shade, and tolerates loam soils and acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include shade gardens.

About

Clintonia borealis is a species of flowering plant in the lily family. The specific epithet borealis means "of the north," which alludes to the fact that the species tends to thrive in the boreal forests of eastern Canada and northeastern United States. It is commonly known as bluebead, blue bead-lily, or yellow clintonia. It is native to North America, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana and other regions. In the garden it prefers full shade and loam soil. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). Suggested uses include shade gardens. It tolerates acid soils, moist conditions and north-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in a suitable position. Water during establishment.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Clintonia borealis

About the genus

Clintonia is a genus of flowering plants in the lily family Liliaceae. Plants of the genus are distributed across the temperate regions of North America and eastern Asia, in the mesic understory of deciduous or coniferous forests. The genus, first described by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1818, was named for DeWitt Clinton (1769–1828), a naturalist and politician from the U.S.

Wikipedia contributors, "Clintonia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Clintonia

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Clintonia

Sunlight

Full shade

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Acid

Soil moisture

Moist

Aspect

North-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Clintonia borealis size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Clump-forming

Foliage

Glossy

Suggested uses

Shade gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Clintonia borealis

Propagation

Division

Pest resistance

High

Disease resistance

High

Frequently asked questions