Trientalis latifolia
A member of the Primulaceae with 10–25 cm stems, leaves mostly whorled at the apex, and pink to lavender flowers, typically growing in moist coniferous forests and along stream banks from British Columbia to California and into Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Common Names
Starflower, Broadleaf Starflower, Indian Potato, Western Starflower, Maystar
Summary
Trientalis latifolia is a shade-loving perennial native to western North America, growing from a tuber to form small colonies. Stems reach about 10–25 cm tall and bear a whorl of elliptic leaves at the apex, with 1–5 pink to pinkish-lavender or white star-shaped flowers on slender pedicels above the leaves in spring.
In cultivation, it prefers part shade to shade and loose, organic, acidic soil with regular weekly watering, and flowering occurs from April to June before a summer dormancy; propagation is primarily by tubers, with seeds also possible, and the plant spreads to form self-sustaining colonies, making a low spreading groundcover for woodland or shaded gardens, including container plantings; hardy in USDA zones 3–7.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
6-12 inches
Spread
2-4 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3-7
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial shade.
Soil Type
Loose, organic, acidic soil
Soil Drainage
Damp to water-saturated soils
Soil pH
Acidic soil
Bloom Color
Pink and white
Bloom Time
Spring to early Summer
Foliage Color
Light-green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Medium
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Division (tuber division)
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, Attracts other pollinators (especially native pollinators)
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Hook.
- Publication
- Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 121 (1838)
- Synonym Of
- Lysimachia latifolia