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Boykinia spp.
Brookfoam
Overview
Boykinia is a genus of about seven to nine rhizomatous perennial herbs in the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae), native chiefly to North America with related species in eastern Asia. Most species grow along mountain streams, on wet rock ledges, and in moist shaded woodland. The plants form low clumps of long-stalked basal leaves that are rounded to kidney-shaped or palmately lobed, 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15 cm) wide, with toothed margins. From late spring into summer, erect flowering stems 8 to 40 inches (20 to 100 cm) tall carry open clusters of small five-petalled flowers, usually white and occasionally tinged pink, each 0.2 to 0.4 inch (5 to 10 mm) across. The fruit is a small two-beaked capsule releasing numerous small seeds. Boykinia depends on cool, consistently moist, humus-rich soils and shade; in warm or dry positions the leaves scorch and the clumps decline. Species spread slowly by short rhizomes to form open colonies along watercourses.
Native Range
Boykinia is native mainly to North America, concentrated in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and California, with additional species in the Appalachian region and in eastern Asia. Plants grow along streams, seeps, and shaded slopes from foothills to subalpine elevations.Suggested Uses
Grown in shaded bog gardens, along stream and pond margins, and in moist woodland borders. Lower species work as a groundcover in damp shade, while taller species suit the middle of a shaded, moist border. Spacing of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) lets clumps knit into a colony.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 3'4"
Width/Spread8" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from late spring through summer, typically May to August depending on elevation and latitude, lasting about 4 weeks per clump. The small white to pink-tinged flowers open progressively up the branched stem. Cool, moist conditions extend the display.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pink-tingedFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight