About
Gillenia trifoliata, Bowman's root, is a bushy, upright perennial about 1 m high with red stems and small, three-lobed, bronze-green leaves that turn warm orange in autumn. Open sprays of starry, white flowers 3�4 cm wide appear from late spring to late summer. A graceful and long-flowering perennial of great elegance for a moist, partly shaded border.
About the genus
Gillenia are rhizomatous perennials in the rose family (Rosaceae) from North America, producing palmately divided leaves on red-tinted stems and loose panicles of delicate, star-shaped, white or pale-pink flowers in summer. Valued for their graceful habit and good autumn foliage colour.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
Native toNE USA & Canada
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, slightly acid to neutral, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Can tolerate full sun if shaded in the hottest part of the day. May need staking
PruningNo pruning required,
PropagationPropagate by seed in pots in a cold frame in winter or propagate by division in spring or autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free