Botanical Name: Coptis trifolia, syn. Coptis groenlandica
Height: less than 10 cm.
Bloom Time: Mid-spring. Blooms do not last long.
Growing Conditions: Cool, organic, acidic soil. In the headwater swamps just north of our farm, I have seen this growing on damp, well-rotted stumps in part sun. In most situations, this species grows in shade.
Ottawa Valley or Eastern Ontario seed sources: Yes.
Wildlife Benefits:
Remarks: I love the shiny evergreen leaves of this little cutie, but its insistence on cool, all-organic growing conditions limit its use in city gardens. Perhaps consider a specially prepared bed, built to showcase species of the woodland floor, and filled with a peat and rotted pine needle based medium. Companions might include Creeping Snowberry, Wood Sorrel, Bunchberry, and Starflower.
Similar species: Barren Strawberry
More plants for shady woodland gardens.
Beaux Arbres Plantes Indigènes / Native Plants 