Uvularia perfoliata

Common Names

Perfoliate Bellwort, Bellwort, Mohawk Weed, Wild Oats, Mealy Bellwort, Merrybells, Straw Lily, Strawbells, Yellow Bellwort

Summary

Perfoliate Bellwort is a native eastern North American woodland perennial with slender, rhizomatous stems that form small colonies, leaves are perfoliate, clasping the stem below the fork to create a stem-through-leaf appearance, pale yellow, nodding bell-shaped flowers with six tepals hang on arching stalks and have a granular orange interior, plants reach about 15–50 cm tall, with leaves typically 4–9 cm long and 1.5–4 cm wide, blooming in spring to early summer, prefers part shade to full shade and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils, suitable for cottage or informal gardens, woodland borders, and underplanting of roses and shrubs, spreads by rhizomes to form colonies, propagation by seed (stratify at 4°C for 30 days) or by division, plant rhizomes 1–2 inches deep and space 12–18 inches apart, regular watering keeps soil moist but not soggy, pests include slugs and snails, deer and small mammals may browse, generally not toxic to humans or pets, flowers attract native pollinators, especially bees.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-19.5 inches

Spread

4-19.5 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.0-7.0, Slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Pale yellow

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green, Glaucous

Fall Foliage Color

Blue-green, Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and butterflies