Last fall I purchased 2 Bowman’s Root (Porteranthus trifoliatus or Gillenia trifoliata, depending on who you ask), after seeing them massed beautifully outside Lurie Garden. Though it’s been less than a year, I’ve made up my mind: I definitely want more.
Bowman’s Root is a woodland plant whose native range extends from southern Ontario to Georgia, west to Arkansas. It has a mounded, bushy habit and grows 2-3′ tall.
In late spring to early summer it bears loose clusters of white flowers. The flowers are star-shaped but charmingly irregular, with longish petals that seem to be heading off each in their own direction.
I also like the mahogany stems and deep green foliage that stays clean through summer, then turns bronzy red.
This is an easy plant for part shade and medium moisture. This fall I’m going to plant another 2 or 3 Bowman’s Root so I can get more of a mass effect.
I’m already looking forward to their contribution to the garden next June.
gardeninacity 
They look charming.
Agreed.
I think this has solved a mystery… a plant turned up in my Mum‘s garden this spring and from the pictures I have seen of it this could be it! Hope you can source more of it for your garden Jason. It is really pretty.
I agree.
White rules!
White plants definitely look good in the shade.
I want this for beside my porch!
I hope you can find it!
Isn’t it a sweet thing!? You have so many white plants in your back yard. Are you intentionally or unintentionally creating a moon garden?
Intentionally I have lots of white in the back garden.
I first planted Bowman’s root about a dozen years ago. It was in too shady a spot and didn’t do well, eventually dying out. I began looking to find more, planning to use it in a sunnier location but couldn’t find it anywhere. Now it seems to be widely available and I’m using it successfully in several spots at Glen Villa. I’m sure you will be happy with a larger mass and hope you have no trouble finding more.
Funny, I purchased these two on a whim at a local garden center. Pretty sure I’ll be able to find more, at least online.
Though native I’ve never found this one in the woods. And I’ve never seen it in a nursery, so I think you were lucky to find it. Another name for it is fawn’s breath.
Sweet name!
Thanks for this post! I’ve read about this plant any times but never tried it. This convinces me I need to – thanks.
Oh yes I like the look of that. Really pretty
Isn’t it?
Oh yes, I need some of that. I wonder if I can get it to grow. I will certainly find out. Not only do I like the look of this plant it has my name as part of it’s name.
I’d say it was meant to be!
Being the lover of white flowers that I am, this really appeals, but I must say, that foliage is especially attractive. It certainly sets off the flowers. I like the profusion of flowers combined with a sense of openness — there’s a nice balance between blooms and foliage.
Yes, very well put.
I really like the airy feel of this plant~what a nice addition to a part shady spot this would be! I can see why you want more.
Now to see if I can find them. I bought these as a bit of a fluke.
It turns out I have some! I was weeding a bed that was trying to get away from me and there were some delicate blooms dancing among the weeds! Turns out a friend had given some to me last summer but they weren’t in bloom when she gave them to me so I didn’t realize what they were. What a fun surprise.
A really pretty plant, and I like the way you highlight plants that are not well known.
Thank you!
Hi Jason .. I am a fan of Bowman’s Root as well .. I have the white flower, as well as the pink flower one .. but something odd has happened to one of them .. it might well be my fault for having moved it too often.
The foliage has turned a bit pale and more of a yellowing shade of green ? .. it isn’t lack of moisture but perhaps too much sun , I am wondering ? .. have you had a problem like this at all ?
I’m feeling very guilty for moving it too many times .. I will certainly get more next Spring to make up for it because it is such a nice plant .. I just wish I knew what I did wrong for certain, so I don’t do it again !
That is so often what gardeners ask themselves.
Oh, I’d want more too!xxx
We think alike!
There’s something about the hap-hazard spray of flowers on this plant that makes it quite appealing. It looks lovely and reminds me a little of a sparkler. I can see why you’d want more. I’m not sure if you’d be able to propagate it from cuttings?
Worth checking into.
I wish I had more room to plant. This is lovely. Now you’ve got me wondering what I could remove… next year.
Maybe dig up a bit more lawn?
I’m eyeing my parkway… after I’m retired, maybe. 😐