Bowman’s root ‘Pink Profusion’

* Common name: Bowman’s root ‘Pink Profusion’

* Botanical name: Gillenia trifoliata ‘Pink Profusion’ (formerly Porteranthus trifoliathus)

* What it is: Despite being a low-care, attractive, pollinator-friendly, native perennial, Bowman’s root is little known and seldom planted in home gardens.

   ‘Pink Profusion’ is an especially nice version of it with pink flowers, introduced by Delaware’s Mt. Cuba Center in 1997. The straight species of this plant blooms white.

   ‘Pink Profusion’ is at its best when its dainty, inch-wide, star-shaped flowers are in bloom in May and June. Even after the petals drop, the tiny red flower stems give color above the green foliage.

   Several species of bees and butterflies like Bowman’s root, but deer don’t.

* Size: Including the flower stems, plants grow two to three feet tall. Space plants about two feet apart if using in a group.

* Where to use: Morning sun and afternoon shade  is ideal – or in the dappled light under or near trees. Shade and woodland gardens are good locations, or ‘Pink Profusion’ can be mixed in a meadow garden. Although plants do best in damper settings out of hot afternoon sun, they’re also tolerant of full sun and fairly drought-tough once established.

* Care: Soak once or twice a week the first season to help young plants root, then water weekly in summer whenever rain isn’t keeping the soil damp.

   Scatter a balanced, organic granular fertilizer over the bed early each spring.

   Plants can be dug and divided in early fall if they’re spreading beyond where you want. Cut plants to the ground at the end of winter before new growth begins.

* Great partners: Foxgloves, lupines, penstemon, and baptisia are other perennials that bloom about the same time and thrive in similar conditions as Bowman’s root. Native smooth hydrangea is a good shrub partner.