Perennial. A bold shade perennial with large, bright green foliage and delicate late-summer flower spikes. Excellent groundcover for woodland gardens.
DESCRIPTION: Large, deeply lobed leaves covered in soft hairs form a spreading mound of rich green, sometimes bronze-tinged foliage. Airy white flower panicles rise on tall stems in late summer, one of the last alumroots to bloom.
FAUNA: Flowers attract hummingbirds and specialist native bees. An important late-season nectar source.
ORIGIN/CULTURE: Native to rocky woodland ledges and cliff crevices in the southeastern US. Moist, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established.
HEIGHT: 1'–2'
ZONES: 3-8, part to full shade
GERMINATION: Sow outdoors in fall. For indoor or spring planting, cold stratify seeds at 40°F for 60 days before sowing to mimic winter cold period. An easy method is to put the seeds in the fridge in a resealable bag mixed with a small amount of barely moist growing medium or sand. Seeds are very small; sow on the surface of soil as daylight aids germination.
