Other Wild Gingers For Your Landscape

Although wild gingers, Asarum and Hexastylis species, can be found the world over, most are indigenous to the shaded woodlands of Asia, Europe, and North America. Wild gingers are members of the Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort family). Several species of Hexastylis and Asarum grow exceptionally well in the Southern Appalachian region (Zones 5b-7b). New varieties continue the marketplace.

European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum)

Wild gingers are frequently planted as a groundcover under trees and shady areas of a garden. They thrive in full to partial shade and usually will fail under full sun. Plant wild gingers in a humus-rich, acidic, moist, well-drained soil. This blog includes Asarum species that I have seen in my travels over the past 40 years.

Shuttleworth ginger (Asarum shuttleworthii) is a southeast U.S. native with blue / green variegated foliage and spring chocolate and purple flowers; 6 – 8 inches tall and 8 -12 inches spread; exceptional heat and humidity tolerant. var. ‘Callaway’ is a slow-growing, mat-forming version with silver mottled leaves; ‘Carolina Silver’ has slightly arrow shaped silvery-cream foliage. ‘Velvet Queen’ has larger, round, silver mottling foliage than ‘Calloway’. ‘Eco Medallion’ is a silvery selection with compact growth. (zones 5-8).

European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum) is a popular European species with glossy, leathery, dark green 3″ wide leaves; evergreen in mild winters; urn-shaped, greenish yellow 1/2″ wide flowers in late spring. (zones 4-7).

Chinese wild ginger (Asarum nobilissimum ‘Deep Throat’) produces giant, glossy, green leaves, which can reach a whopping 8″ length. Asarum ‘Deep Throat’ is slow spreading via thick rhizomes, and in good growing conditions can produce a 3′ wide patch in 10 years. In mid-spring, clumps are adorned with ginormous 4″ wide dark purple flowers, flecked with tiny yellow specks, and a wide white eye zone highlighting the dark purple socket.

Chinese ginger (Asarum splendens) ‘Quicksilver’ grows 8 inches tall and has large 6 inch-long, heart-shaped spreading habit with large silver mottled glossy foliage that are silver mottled. and spread 12- inches wide and 2-inch-wide flowers with white centers; Evergreen (zones (5b)6-9).

Chinese Wild Ginger (Asarum splendens)

Several Asian wild gingers have incredible black and white flowers within mottled heart-shaped foliage compared to U.S natives. Check out Panda face ginger (Asarum maximum) and cvs ‘Ling Ling’ and ‘Green Panda’ and Chinese Giant wild ginger (A. delavayi ‘Sichuan Splendor’). (zones 7b-10).

Asarum Care: Easily grown in humus-rich, slightly acidic, consistently moist, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. May self-seed in the garden. Plants do not perform well in the hot and humid summer temperatures of the deep South. No serious insect or disease problems have been reported when plants are proper planting steps are followed. Slugs, snails and leaf gall are sometimes troublesome. Watch for rust.

Where to buy: Local garden centers are unlikely selling species of wild gingers. For the serious collector, do your homework and pay close attention to hardiness zones of wild ginger species. Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, NC is a choice shopping spot for collecting new species and cultivars from around the world.

Asarum maximum ‘Ling Ling’ at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadensis) – lovely ground cover with distinctive downy, basal, dark green leaves

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a U.S. native spring wildflower which grows in rich garden and woodland soils. Wild ginger is a stemless 4-8-inch-tall plant (8 -10 inches wide) which features distinctive downy, basal, dark green foliage. Leaves are heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, and delicately veined, and up to 6 inches wide. Cup-shaped, purplish brown, 3 lobed, 1-inch-wide flowers appear in spring on short, ground-level stems. Flowers are often referred to as ‘little brown jugs”. Upon close inspection, flowers are borne singly on or near the ground and are mostly hidden within the foliage. (USDA hardiness zones 3-8).

Wild ginger is a native form of ornamental ginger in the Aristolochiaceae family that spans Canada into the U.S. This attractive groundcover is easily grown, although a bit slow spreading at the start. Do not confuse wild gingers with the “true gingers” which are aromatic plants from tropical countries and are not closely related to Asarum.

Asarum canadense exhibits poor drought tolerance. Plantings prosper in high organic matter gritty soil and under light to deep shade gardens. Once established after 1-2 years, wild ginger tolerates moderate drought. It can be propagated by underground rhizome divisions or from seeds.

Flowers appear in April or May and the smallish greenish hairy pointer flower lobes are hidden under the leaves and are of little ornamental value. Pollinators, mostly bees, are attracted to their sweet fragrance. Flowers are also self-pollinating. Ants, attracted by the oily chemical in wild ginger seed called “elaiosome”, disperse the seeds of wild ginger across the woodland floor in autumn and germinate the next spring. Leaves of wild ginger are deciduous, drop and decaying to the ground over winter.

Wild Ginger foliage

The handsome foliage and high shade tolerance make wild gingers a great option for a woodland, shade, or rain/boggy grounds. Plant them as edging or border plants which easily naturalizes as a deciduous groundcover. This plant tolerates deer browsing, wet soils, heavy shade, and erosion.

Few, if any, disease and insect pests trouble wild ginger. Thrips, slugs and snails are occasionally bothersome.

As stated early, asarums are not related to culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale), a native of Asia; ginger root is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. Wild ginger has a long history of medicinal and culinary use by Native Americans and early settlers of eastern North America.

2025 Perennial Plant Of The Year – Clustered Mountainmint

Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

Clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), aka “blunt mountain mint” or “short-toothed mountain mint”, is a tough and adaptable perennial native to meadows and open woodlands across much of the eastern U.S. west to Texas. (USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 8) (AHS Heat Zones 4 -10).

It is not a true mint (Mentha spp.) but belongs to the same family (Lamiaceae) and has similarly scented leaves. A must-have for pollinator gardens, heads of tiny white to light pink blooms attract butterflies, wasps, and bees from July to September. The inconspicuous flowers are upstaged by surrounding silver bracts, which give the illusion of frost in summer and persist for months. Clustered mountain mint has no serious disease issues, and its aromatic foliage is unpalatable to deer and rabbits.

Branched, vertical stems grow 2-3 feet tall (60-100 cm) and form a dense, weed-suppressing clump. Clustered mountain mint spreads by underground rhizomes and can be aggressive in moist conditions, though it is not invasive to the degree of true mints.

Site clustered mountainmint in an area where it can freely naturalize and mingle among other plants. Its silver sheen plays well with other flower colors and contrasts wonderfully with dark foliage.

Ideally, grow clustered mountain mint in full sun to part shade. It prefers medium to high moisture, fertile, well-drained soils, including clay soils. However, it is less tolerant of drought than most other mountain mints.

Clustered mountain mint can spread aggressively, especially in wet soils. Rhizomes are easy to control by cutting them to the desired size with a spade and pulling the shoots by hand in spring. Seed heads may be left until early spring for winter interest. Tolerates heat and drought once established. No serious pest or disease issues.

Clustered mountain mint flowers

Garden Companions: black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.), bee balms (Monarda spp.), blazing stars (Liatris spp.), Joe Pye weeds (Eutrochium spp.), and native grasses such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum).

In my opinion, P. muticum grows too tall to utilize as a groundcover. Tried heading it back by ½ in mid-June; plants recovered very slowly, and flowering was mostly ineffective, and pollinators went elsewhere.

Christmas Rose

Christmas Rose (H. niger)

Christmas roses (Helleborus niger), aka Christmas roses, are early winter flowering lenten roses. They bloom around Christmas time if winter temps are generally still mild. Based on the severity of winter temps, start of bloom date will vary considerably between H. niger and the more popular Helleborus x hybridus (H. x orientalis). (USDA hardiness zones 3- 8).

Christmas roses typically grow 8-15 inches tall and feature 2.5 to 3.0 inch wide, cup-shaped, rose-like white to light blush pink with yellow stamens. Each flower has five large showy petal-like sepals. Flowers usually appear singly on thick stems. Their palmately compound evergreen leaves are deeply lobed, waxy, and dark green with 7-9 leaflets. Leaves remain evergreen in moderate winters zone 5b and warmer). Foliage may be blotched and tattered in extremely cold wintry conditions that dip below zero and the leaves not protected by snow cover.

Christmas roses are rated as slightly more difficult to grow than H. x hybridus. They’re best grown in humus-rich, neutral to alkaline, well-drained soils and in part – full shade. Hellebores resent very dry summer soils. Set plants on sheltered locations away from cold winter winds. Plants usually take two or more years to establish. Divide plants clumps as needed or just left undisturbed. Plants may self-seed in optimum growing conditions.

Locate Christmas roses near a garden path that you frequently walk by in the winter and spring seasons. For best effect, set several plants en masse anytime from March through September. Fall-planted lenten roses may be difficult to establish. Utilize them as ground covers under trees, large shrubs or in woodland gardens, where they eventually will seed-in and naturalize. Trim away old foliage before the start of the winter blooming season.

Some local greenhouses pot them up in late summer for fall sales. Don’t delay planting as winter survival of roots and crowns depends on setting them in the garden by late October.

No serious insect or disease problems trouble Helleborus spp. Crown rot and leaf spot are occasional problems. Inspect leaves for aphids and slugs. It is also mostly deer resistant. Leaves, stems and roots of Lenten roses are poisonous to humans, dogs, cats and horses.

Select H. niger x hybrid cultivars:

‘Snowbells’ (H. niger) – semi-double pure white 2.5- to 3-inch-wide flowers.

‘Bob’s Best’ (H. x ericsmithii) – outward-facing, saucer-shaped, pink-flushed blooms.

‘Ruby Grow’ (H. x ericsmithii) – attractive pink buds that open to mid pink flowers that slowly deepen to green and deep pink tones in late winter-early spring.

‘HGC Silvermoon’ (H. x ericsmithii) – pewter foliage upright stalks of ivory white flowers in late winter.

‘Winter Moonbeam’ (H. x ericsmithii) – early white blooms fading to a soft dusky-pink.

Thermonasty – What Is It?

Rhododendron catawbiense – partial thermonasty following a series of cold TN nights in winter 2010

How cold did it get overnight? Perhaps you should check out your rhododendrons outside. The leaves of some rhododendron species (Rhododendron spp.) and Redneck Rhody (Daphniphyllum macropodum) droop down and/or curl up during really cold nights. Plant scientists believe that this reaction may be a plant’s way of reducing water loss through stomata cells on the undersides of leaves. This phenomenon is called “thermonasty” or “thermotropism”.

Rosebay rhododendron (R. maximum) also respond to thermonasty and Catawba rhododendron demonstrate a partial response. (USDA hardiness zones 6b-9). Most rhododendron species do not display this trait.

Scientists do not fully understand this plant tropism. It is thought to have something to do with leaf cell hydration. Thermonasty may also protect leaves during periods of high irradiance by sunlight. It may protect certain plants from cold temperature injury during daily thawing and re-freezing.

Thermonasty on R. maximum

Essentially, the leaves are a type of natural thermometer. When temps dip below 20°F, leaf margins curl inward leaves roll up and droop. During periods of exposure to extreme cold, reducing surface area helps to protect the leaves. On most days, leaves unfurl to their full natural position the next morning if temps rise above 32 °F (0°C).

Tropisms are useful adaptations with several important benefits. Leaves that are particularly susceptible to damage from desiccating winter winds—tightly curled leaves — ensure surface area is reduced, thereby mitigating this threat. Broad leaf positioning to maximize sunlight collection during dark winter days may be a liability when it comes to snow loads. Narrow, drooping, needle-like leaves shed snow that may otherwise accumulate and break branches.

Thermonasty response on Daphniphyllum

Caveat– gardeners may need to irrigate evergreen shrubs every 2-3 weeks if natural rainfall and snowfall levels are more than 60% below traditional seasonal amounts.

Russian arborvitae (Microbiota)

Russian arborvitae (Microbiota decussata) – spring/summer appearance

Russian arborvitae, aka Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata), is a conifer ground cover that originates from frigid Siberia; it is exceptionally cold hardy to -40° F (USDA hardiness zones 2-7). Microbiota prospers in the cooler parts of the Mid-South (Kentucky, East Tennessee, Virginia, and Western North Carolina). Growth rate is slow to medium.

This amazing groundcover shows off its beautiful feathery green needle foliage from spring thru early fall. In fall it changes to coppery bronze in fall. It is utilized as a ground cover for banks and slopes. Microbiota takes a purple to bronze needle cast in late October and a brownish cast in winter. Spring warm-up restores its green needle color. It is more shade tolerant than and is an interesting alternative to ground cover junipers in northerly zones.

It forms a shrubby ground cover to 8-18 inches tall and may spread 10-12 feet wide. Feathery, soft-textured, scale-like (infrequently awl-shaped) foliage is arranged in flat, fan-like sprays reminiscent of arborvitae (Thuja). In appearance, it resembles the growth habit some of the horizontal junipers. Fruits are tiny, spherical, berry-like cones (to 0.25” diameter) with woody scales.

A well-drained soil is key to avoiding root rot, or plant in a dry location with a couple of hours of morning sun or light shade all day long. While exceptionally cold hardy, microbiota does not tolerate summer heat, drought, and high humidity. Alternatively, microbiota prefers good soil moisture drainage and cool temperatures, and tolerates windy exposed sites once fully established after two years. Deer and most disease and insect pests do not trouble it. 

Celtic Pride® is the leading cultivar

Celtic Pride® Siberian cypress is the leading microbiota cultivar selected for its uniform growth and resistance to tip dieback that plagues conventional varieties. Celtic Pride transforms areas into a lush evergreen carpet. It is intolerant to poorly drained soils, and hot and humid summers. Root rot may develop in excessively wet areas.

Microbiota is utilized as a specimen ground cover for banks and slopes, a ground cover for rock gardens, shrub borders, a costly lawn grass alternative around building and home foundations, and a shade alternative to ground cover junipers.

Although not commonly sold at local garden centers, microbiota may be purchase from online specialty nurseries in the U.S. and Canada.

Winter-blooming Snowdrops

Window box planting containing snowdrops at Brandywine Cottage outside Philadelphia, PA

Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.) are grown in both cold and moderate winters. In the U.S. snowdrops thrive where winters are cool (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). There are about 19 species of Galanthus – in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They’re native to the cool woodland and mountainous regions of southern Europe and Asia Minor. They tend to struggle in warm climes in the U.S. like south Texas and southern California.

Snowdrops are among the first spring flowers to bloom, often around mid-February into early March. Purchase bulbs in fall and plant immediately after you receive them. Do not buy the bulbs too far ahead of time as they may dry out and lose viability. Space bulbs 3 – 4 inches apart. These tiny plants require very little maintenance. Snowdrops grow in a variety of garden spots.

Plant snowdrop bulbs 2-3 inches deep in soil that is prepared and ready for planting. Set bulbs with the thin end (tip) facing up. Feed with any commercially labelled bulb fertilizer to get the snowdrops off to good start. Each year in late fall, spreading 1-2 inches of well-refined organic mulch or compost should provide nutritional support to the snowdrop bed.

Snowdrop planting

Snowdrops are a collector’s dream. Try some of these favorites:

  • G. elwesii – “giant snowdrop” and grows to be twice as tall as G. nivalis.
  • G. nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’ produces double flowers.
  • G. nivalis ‘Sam Arnott’ – large flowered, vigorous and fragrant.
  • G. nivalis ‘Viridi-Apice‘ has prominent green blotch on its petals.
  • G. ‘White Dream’ has a white stripe on leaves.
  • G. woronowii – “green snowdrop” – broad green leaves and little green mark on inner floral tepals.

Numerous other cultivars are listed. One authority lists over 500 cultivars – most primarily available in Europe. Snowdrops can be mixed with other early blooming bulbous beauties such as Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa), Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), and Crocus (Crocus spp.).

Snowdrops prefer full sun (at least 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily). Grow snowdrops in a loose, well-drained soil with lots of humus added. They don’t thrive in heavy clay soil. Once snowdrops have finished blooming, allow the foliage to yellow naturally and wither away.

Snowdrops come up every year, and multiply and spread over time; in fact, they are easy to naturalize. Every few years lift and divide the bulbs when you wish to propagate snowdrops.

Snowdrops are disease, insect and deer resistant, and critter-proof. They are toxic to animals and humans; keep pets and children away.

Snowdrop collectors, called “galanthophiles”, attend winter snowdrop meetings to buy new plant variants and other minor bulbs. Snowdrops and many minor bulbs are hard to find at garden shops. Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, an online

Snowdrop collectors, called “galanthophiles”, attend winter snowdrop meetings to buy new snowdrop variants and other minor bulbs. Snowdrops and other minor bulbs are hard to find at garden shops. Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, an online bulb emporium in Gloucester VA, is a personal favorite.

Summer Snowflakes (Leucojum)

Leucojum aestivium ‘Gravetye Giant’

Summer snowflakes originate from Europe and northern Africa and are carefree spring-blooming bulbs. They belong to the Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae) botanical family and are critter proof. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Flowers and foliage are similar to snowdrops, but snowflakes grow twice as tall and bloom about 2-3 months later, usually just after most daffodils. Pure white, nodding, bell-shaped flowers are decorated with lime green spots. Blooms dangle in clusters from arching stems. Bulbs are reliably perennial and bloom reliably every spring for years to come.

Don’t be mistaken by its common name “Summer Snowflake”. They flower in mid-spring (April into early May) and bloom over 2-3 weeks. Summer Snowflakes (Leucojum) look a lot like snowdrops (Galanthus) which grow a lot smaller and bloom in mid to late winter. Whereas the three outer petals of Galanthus are larger than the three inner petals, all six floral petals in the Leucojum genus are the same length.

A flowering stem of summer snowflake is likely to bear more flowers—up to 6 or 7 per plant. Fewer than 2-3 flowers appear on a flowering stem, is an indication that plants are not receiving adequate sunlight. Primary snowflake species are:

  • L. vernum, a plant of about the same size as the giant snowdrop (1 foot tall), is called the “spring snowflake.” It blooms in mid-spring.
  • L. aestivum is similar in size to L. vernum, but blooms slightly later in mid-spring.
Leucojum naturalized with Green and Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum)

Plant the bulbs 5 – 6 inches deep and 5 – 6 inches apart on center. Design for a natural look by planting snowflakes along a woodland path or a rock garden in groups of 10 or more bulbs. Give them at least half-day sun and they flower at their best under limbed up small trees or large shrubs. Let the foliage remain to rebuild the bulbs before summer dormancy sets in.

Snowflakes adapt well to most soil types and bulbs are soil pH insensitive. Bulbs require moisture during the early growth season and are moderately drought tolerant during their summer dormancy period.

Container Design – List Of Spillers

Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’

Spiller plants are species that trail over the edge of the pot with a cascading growth habit. Combined with erect-growing “thriller” plants as the focal point in container gardens, spillers bring texture, color, and visual interest to the rest of the pot. Trailing plants provide a “full look”, draping over edges of hanging baskets and containers.

‘Snow Princess’ alyssum (Lobularia)

Below is a list of 24 trailing plants (spillers) that compliment any container garden. This is not a complete plant listing.

Calibrachoa basket
  1. Dichondra (Dichondra spp.) has blue-green or silver foliage that spills over the edge of containers. Grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil. Highly recommend D. argentea ‘Silver Falls’ (Z 10-11).
  2. Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) is grown for its small, a soft blue-gray leaves. Also, variegated leaf varieties are available. Grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil. (Z 9-11).
  3. Joseph’s Coat (Alternanthera dentata) is colorful foliage plant group that spills with charm. Grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil (Z 10-11). 
  4. Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia) are covered with small, daisy-like flowers available in yellow, pinks, white, and orange that drape over the sides of a window box or hanging basket. Best in full sun and is drought tolerant. (Z 8-11).
  5. Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomea batatas) thrive in large containers. Choose from heart-shaped or oakleaf-like foliage, available in many colors from green, chartreuse, to almost black; dwarf-leaf varieties are also available; grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil. (Z 9-11).
  6. Tradescantia ‘Zebrina’ has a 9-inch trailing plant with multi-colored lance-shaped leaves. Rose-like flowers appear in spring. (Z 8-12)
  7. Poppy Mallow / Wine Cups (Callirhoe involucrata) is a stunning spiller (trailing) plant that produces vibrant cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. (Z 4-8)
  8. Batface cuphea (Cuphea llavea) grows 20-30 inches tall and wide, covered with 1-inch tubular flowers with a purple calyx and a pair of red ear-like petals that resemble the face of a bat; attract hummingbirds and butterflies; best in full to partial sun and moist well drained soil. (Z 9-12).
  9. Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) produces abundant purple flowers on a versatile, tidy, compact annual with finely textured, glossy, bright green foliage. In bloom continuously, well into fall. (Z 8-11).
  10. Firecracker plant (Cuphea x llavea) grows 18-28-inch-wide green stems with abundant yellow orange flowers all season long; pollinator and hummingbird fav. (Z 8-11).
  11. Tradescantia ‘Zebrina’ is a 9-inch trailing plant with multi-colored lance-shaped leaves and rose-like flowers in spring. (Z 8-12).
  12. Poppy Mallow or Wine Cups (Callirhoe involucrata) is a stunning spiller (trailing) plant that produces vibrant cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. (Z 4-8).
  13. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum) form a mounding tumble of lily pad–like leaves and bright, cheerful flowers. Grow in partial sun, moist well-drained soil, and a cool site is preferred. (Z 9-11).
  14. Plectranthus (Plectranthus argentatus) is beloved for its silver-gray foliage. Varieties ‘Mona Lavender’ and ‘Silver Shield’ bear attractive, fuzzy, gray-green foliage with spiky sprays of lavender blooms from late summer to fall. (Z 8-11).
  15. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a sweetly fragrant blooming annual that drape over the edges of containers, in the garden, or to fill nooks and crannies on walkways and walls. Favorite variety- Snow Princess™ (Z 7-10).
  16. Fan Flower (Scaevola) is an evergreen tropical plant with deep green leaves and odd little flowers that have petals only halfway around their center disks, giving them the look of a fan. Grow in full to partial sun and well-drained soil. (Z 10-11).
  17. Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata) has tiny five-petal flowers in yellow, peach, or white. Grow in full to partial sun and moist well-drained soil. (Z 10-11). 
  18. Verbena (Verbena peruviana) is grown as an flowering annual in full sun and moist well-drained soil. They are also very heat tolerant. (Z 8-11). 
  19. Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), aka annual vinca, is often used as a flowering ground cover that trails over the sides of containers. Grow in full to partial sun and well-drained soil. Recommend ‘Pacifica’, ‘Cora’, ‘Soiree’. (Z 10-11).
  20. Wave petunias (Petunia x hybrida) grows in full sun and moist well-drained, acidic soil; pinching and deadhead flowers in mid-summer for renewed flowering. (Z 10-11).
  21. Million Bells®, Super Bells® (Calibrachoa x) is a smaller flower cousin to petunias with same growing needs. (Z 10-11).
  22. Narrowleaf Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia) are small-flowered spreading zinnias with much improved powdery mildew resistance. Profusion® and Zahara® series are highly rated. (Z 8-10).
  23. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) has a viny trailing plant habit along with vibrant chartreuse leaves that rapidly in containers; considered invasive plant in garden areas. Grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil. (Z 4-9).
  24. Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) forms a lush green mat covered in yellow flowers in summer that drape over sides of containers. Grow in full to part sun and moist well-drained soil. Z 2-11).
Batface cuphea (C. llavea)

Native Sedum (Three-leaved Stonecrop)

Three leaved Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), aka mountain stonecrop, whorled stonecrop), is a small, spreading, Eastern U.S. perennial (USDA hardiness zone 4 to 8). In its natural habitat, this native sedum is found in damp sites along stream banks, bluff bases and stony ledges. Stonecrops are in the Crassulaceae family. Mountain stonecrop grows 2-6 inches high and spreads by creeping stems which root at the nodes. Stems break away and die in winter, leaving newly rooted plants separated from the mother plant.

May ’24 in Brookside Gardens in Wheaton MD

Mountain stonecrop features small, rounded, fleshy, succulent-like leaves (to 3/4″ long) grouped in whorls of three, giving rise to its common name “three leafed sedum”. Clusters of tiny white, star-like flowers (to 1/2″ wide) with purplish stamens appear on erect stems above the foliage in April and May.

Plant 6 to 12 inches apart in a site with partial to full shade in well-drained soil. It does tolerate full sun, seldom needs watering, and will grow in moist soils with good drainage. The plant tolerates shade and moist soils better than most other sedums as well as drought and heat, rocky and poor soils.

It is a low maintenance, easily grown groundcover ideal in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Mountain Stonecrop matures to a 6-inch-high plant with a 1 foot spread and four-parted white flowers. Stems creep along the ground or over rocks, forming dense mats. A single flowering branch, 4 to 8 inches high, rises along with many shorter, leafier, non-flowering branches. Stems break away and die in winter, leaving newly rooted plants separated from the mother plant. Leaves tend to fall off easily; fallen leaves can be used to propagate new plants.

Mountain sedum (foreground) in shallow rocky soil

No serious insect or disease problems. Botrytis is an occasional problem. Although it spreads by creeping stems, unwanted plants are easy to remove with a hoe. Purchase plants at native plant nurseries.

Stems and leaves may be eaten raw when very young and tender. As stems and leaves age, but before the plants flower, the edible parts may still be eaten if they are briefly cooked. The sap can irritate the skin of some people and the leaves, eaten in quantity, can cause stomach upsets.