Tellima grandiflora
Fringecup is bound to delight hummingbirds and gardeners alike. Fuzzy mounds of broad, lime green leaves will gently fill the lowest layer of woodland gardens. In spring, its flowering stems protrude 2ft above the foliage, lined with dozens of urn-shaped flowers, that range from creamy white, to pink, to green, and are rimmed with stunningly intricate fringe.
- Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous perennial herbaceous plant
- Size at maturity: foliage 12", flowering stalks 30"
- Light requirements: full shade, part-sun/part-shade
- Moisture requirements: moist to dry soil
- Bloom time: April - July (April - June in the Portland Metro area)
- Growth rate/ease: fast growing, easy to grow
- Wildlife support: flowers attract and support hummingbirds, bees and other insect pollinators, beneficial and other pest eating insects
- Native habitat/range: locally common in clearings, roadsides, moist forests, glades and streambanks, below the treeline, from AK to CA and east to northern ID and western MT. In OR and WA, it is primarily found west of the Cascades. Portland Plant List - yes.
- Special features & uses: landscape uses include pollinator gardens, woodland gardens and erosion control; the Skagit tribe traditionally uses a decoction of pounded plants to restore appetite and treat other ailments
Gardening with Fringecup: Fringecup is an effortless groundcover that establishes well in disturbed, shady soils. Though it prefers moist areas, once established, it tolerates seasonal dryness quite nicely. It can spread on its own via seed and runners to create patches of groundcover that can outcompete other weeds - but are very easy to manage if that’s not the effect you desire. They transplant well, either around your garden or gifted to friends. Fringecup leaves can be susceptible to powderey mildew. Simply pinch off infected leaves and put them in your curbside compost, ensure ample air circulation around the plant, and take steps to improve overall plant health such as providing deep/infrequent water in the driest locations.
Photo Credit 1: "Tellima Grandiflora Fringecup, San Juan Islands" by BLM Oregon & Washington is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Photo Credit 2: Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants
Photo Credit 3: Tracy Cozine, Sparrowhawk Native Plants
Photo Credit 4: "Tellima grandiflora" by wallygrom is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0