Mountain Indian-physic Gillenia trifoliata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Porteranthus trifoliatus
- Phonetic Spelling
- gil-le-nee-ah try-foh-lee-AY-tuh
- Description
-
Bowman’s root or Indian physic, is a perennial flowering plant in the Rosaceae or rose family. It is native to the eastern United States and Canada and spans from southern Ontario to Georgia. Bowman’s root can also be found west to Kentucky, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Its native habitat is in the woody mountainous regions where it enjoys partial sun, dry to moist conditions, and rocky soil.
This deciduous herbaceous plant that blooms with five-petaled white flowers on wiry red stems from late spring to early summer. The airy look of the flowers is effective in mass plantings or borders. The serrated green leaves turn red in fall. This plant may benefit from support.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pink Profusion'
Pink flowers
- 'Pink Profusion'
- 'Pink Profusion'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pink Profusion'
Pink flowers
- 'Pink Profusion'
- 'Pink Profusion'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gillenia
- Species:
- trifoliata
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A., Canada
- Distribution:
- The eastern United States and Canada
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts butterflies and pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays from August to October.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Five narrow, long, white or pinkish-white petals that are unequal in length and somewhat twisted. They are held in loose corymbs on wiry, branching red stems. After the petals drop, attractive red calyces remain. Flowers bloom from April to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Olive-green leaves are divided into three-pointed, slightly toothed leaflets (1.5-4"). They are almost stalkless. Pair of small stipules at the base of each leaf. Good fall color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Thin reddish-brown stems on slender, somewhat twisted branches. Typically require support.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
