Overview

Gillenia trifoliata is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Gillenia, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Gillenia trifoliata grows best in partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens, flower borders and beds and cut flowers. It is native to Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Missouri.

About

Gillenia trifoliata, common name Bowman's root or Indian physic, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to eastern North America from Ontario to Georgia. It is an erect herbaceous perennial growing to 100 cm (39 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) wide, with three lobed palmate leaves and pale pink flowers with narrow petals and reddish calyces above red coloured stems in spring and summer. In cultivation, this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is very hardy to −20 °C (−4 °F) or lower, but requires a sheltered position in partial shade, with acid or neutral soil. Mature plants reach roughly 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing, north-facing and east-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Gillenia trifoliata

About the genus

Gillenia is a genus of two species of perennial herbs in the family Rosaceae, Gillenia stipulata and Gillenia trifoliata. Common names for plants in this genus include: Bowman's root, Indian-physic, American ipecac. This genus is endemic to dry open woods with acidic soils in eastern North America.

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

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Gillenia

Sunlight

Partial shade

Soil type

Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing, North-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Gillenia trifoliata size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

0.5-1 metres

Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Flower borders and beds, Cut flowers

Native to

Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Gillenia trifoliata

Cultivation

Prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained acid or neutral soil; requires sheltered position; hardy to −20 °C; suitable for cottage gardens and borders

Pruning

Cut back dead stems in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges

Propagation

Seed in pots in a cold frame in winter, Division in spring or autumn

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions