Swamp-pink Helonias bullata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hel-OH-nee-us bul-LAY-tuh
- Description
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Swamp pink is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It is native to the Atlantic coastal states from GA to NJ, including NC. The species epithet means "blistered or puckered," and perhaps refers to the texture of the leaves when dried.
Swamp Pink was federally listed as a threatened species in 1988 due to the loss of its forested wetland habitat through encroaching development, sedimentation, pollution, and wetland drainage. This plant is currently classified as a Federally and NC Threatened species. The swamp pink is an obligate wetland species, meaning it requires an area that is perennially saturated but not flooded, with the water table at or near the surface and fluctuating only slightly during spring and summer months. It is found naturally in bogs, under shrubs, and in peaty soil. It has thick rhizomes that store energy for the plant.
Swamp pink is a beautiful and unique perennial wildflower, one of the first to bloom in the spring with a bubble gum pink flower clusters that appear in early March and last through May. The stalk is topped by a 1"-3" long cluster of 30 to 50 small, fragrant, pink flowers dotted with pale blue anthers.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Helonias
- Species:
- bullata
- Family:
- Melanthiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- United States
- Distribution:
- Atlantic Coast states from New Jersey to Georgia, particularly New Jersey Pine Barrens
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract many pollinators including butterflies, bumblebees, and sweat bees.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are available June-July. The mature brown capsules open by dehiscence and release winged seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- A tight cone of bright pink flowers with blue anthers borne on a tall (up to 4 1/2 feet) hollow stem; scale-like bracts toward the base. Fragrant flowers bloom March-May. A small button appears in the center of the plant in the fall. That is the following spring's flower.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Basal rosette of flat, lanceolate or spatulate, evergreen leaves; broadest above the middle reaching up to 10" long New leaves are light green mature leaves are dark green. In the fall the leaves take on a red-brown-purple color.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Water Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
