spring. Young or newly divided plants
bloom stronger and longer than old
plants.
other maintenance Short-lived
plants. Research for my master’s thesis
showed geum to be not very cold hardy,
nor tolerant of poorly drained condi-
tions, particularly in the winter. Plants
need a cool root run, and moisture in
the summer. Performance is better in
cooler climates; provide afternoon
shade in hot regions. Annual division
in the spring or late summer is
required to maintain vigor.
Gillenia trifoliata
(syn. Porteranthus trifoliata)
Bowman’s root
r oSaceaeStarry white or pale pink flowers on dark
stems; trifoliate serrated green leaves turn
bronzy orange in fall
2–4 ft. high; 3 ft. wide
Part shade
Blooms late May–June
Zones 4–8
pruning Bowman’s root flowers for
only a few weeks and doesn’t rebloom
even when deadheaded. Seedheads
are rather ornamental and may be left
up for winter interest. Plants occasion-
ally self-sow but never obnoxiously.Cut stems down at any time after
leaf-fall.
other maintenance Native to
much of the eastern United States,
Bowman’s root has proved itself to be
adaptable to a wide range of growing
conditions. It performs best in lightly
shaded sites with rich, moist,
well-drained, woodsy soils, but can
cope with less than ideal conditions
and is drought tolerant once estab-
lished. Mulch to conserve moisture.
This bushy plant is normally
self-supporting but may flop in
too-rich soil or during a particularly
wet season. Stake with peony hoops
early in the year if splaying is a
problem. This long-lived perennial
rarely if ever needs dividing, and the
woody crowns make doing so difficult.
related plantS Gillenia trifoliata
‘Pink Profusion’ has pale pink flowers.
Gillenia stipulata, another North
American native, has lacier foliage and
is less floriferous than G. trifoliata.Geum ‘Mrs. J. Bradshaw’Gillenia trifoliata