Wildflower Wednesday: Porteranthus stipulatus

Has fantastic fall color and charm going for it.

Indian Psychic sure looks pretty dressed in its fall colors

There's only one problem with this sweet rose family member and it's not the plant's fault.  It's mine.   I have it planted in the wrong spot.  It's too cute to be  hidden away when it packs this much color punch every fall.  This plant needs to be seen to be appreciated~That way visitors to Clay and Limestone will be sure to see it's many charms.

There are two leaf-like stipules at the base of each leaf which the appearance of being two smaller leaves

It's an easy-peasy native plant that is found naturally growing in rich woods on calcareous soils in a good portion of the Eastern US. They seem undeterred by the dry conditions in my garden, but, I do think they would be happier with a tad more sunshine, richer soil and room to spread to their full  growth possibility~three foot tall and wide.

The small (one inch) star shaped flowers bloom modestly each May despite their less than ideal growing conditions.  I find them very charming and have visions of this subshrub (small woody plant) massed in that same wildflower border with some  other plants edited out! The red stems look good with Aquilegia canadenses, Heuchera villosa and Pentemon digitalis.  I think this plant would work beautifully  in a small garden near a path where the small flowers would make a nice statement in the shade.

NOT deer candy!

Bowman's Root or American Psychic was introduced to me as Porteranthus stipulatus but, it is also known as Gillenia stipulata. Both are correct. Whatever you know it as,  it's a sweet little plant for your garden.

Give it a try.

PS You might be interested to learn that a pink flowered Porteranthus trifoliatus  has been discovered.  Yes, it's on my list!  The two Porteranthus differ in leaf shape. P stipulatus  has  two leaf-like stipules at the base of each leaf which gives the appearance of being two smaller leaves.  P trifoliatus doesn't.  

Welcome to Clay and Limestone's Wildflower Wednesday celebration. WW is about sharing and celebrating wildflowers from all over this great big, beautiful world. Join us on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Remember, it doesn't matter if they are in bloom or not; and, it doesn't matter if we all share the same plants. It's all about celebrating wildflowers. Please leave a comment when you add your url to Mr Linky.


Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone.