Underappreciated Native Plants: Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Go ahead and repeat that name at least 5 times. I want you to remember it!

 If that's too much, you can always call it Yellowroot.  This groundcovering, Spring flowering semi-woody plant is another of the underapppreciated natives that I think should be in more gardens.

I love the tiny, delicate purplish flowers that show well before the foliage arrives. I also appreciate it's rather fine foliage that has been described as resembling celery. It's a fantastic shaped leaf to add to a garden that already has a lot of small leaves. The foliage looks good all summer, then turns a delightful purple every Autumn.

But, let's not stop there! Yellowroot provides food and cover for over 50 different birds and mammals in the wild. This includes upland game birds, songbirds, and small animals that feed on the fruit. Because it can grow in fairly deep shade, the plant can provide understory habitat and food where few other plants can survive. Imagine how happy the songbirds and other critters that visit and live in your garden will be if you plant Xanthorhiza simplicissima.

Pretty flowers, a wet shade ground cover, good wildlife value and gorgeous fall color puts this beauty on the please plant this underappreciated native list!

Now, what was that name I wanted you to remember? 
Xanthorhiza simplicissima!

xoxogail

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. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.