Circaea alpina (Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade)

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Circaea spp.

enchanter's nightshades

Onagraceae Cool-temperate northern hemisphere

Attracts Pollinators

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Circaea spp. is a genus of about seven species of perennial herbs in the evening-primrose family Onagraceae, despite the common name enchanter's nightshade. The genus is spread across the cool-temperate woodlands of the northern hemisphere, in Europe, Asia, and North America. Plants spread by slender underground rhizomes to form patches 6-28 in (15-70 cm) tall, with paired, oval to heart-shaped, toothed leaves on thin upright stems. Tiny flowers, each with two notched white or pale pink petals and two sepals, are carried in slender open spikes held above the foliage. The flowers are followed by small club-shaped fruits covered in hooked bristles that cling to fur and clothing, dispersing the seed. The genus grows in moist, shaded woodland, hedge banks, and stream sides on humus-rich soils, and spreads steadily by rhizome to form a groundcover. Because of this spreading habit, C. lutetiana and its relatives can become persistent weeds of shady gardens. The name links the plant to the enchantress Circe of Greek myth, though the genus is not considered toxic.

Native Range

The genus is distributed across the cool-temperate and boreal northern hemisphere, in Europe, temperate Asia, and North America. C. lutetiana is widespread in European woodlands, while related species occur in eastern North America and East Asia.

Suggested Uses

Circaea spp. is occasionally used as a groundcover in shaded, moist, wild and woodland gardens where its spreading habit is wanted. Plants are spaced 10-16 in (25-40 cm) apart to knit into a cover. More often the genus appears as a self-spread native of damp shade rather than a deliberate planting.

How to Identify

Identify Circaea spp. by its paired, toothed, oval to heart-shaped leaves and slender spikes of tiny two-petalled white or pink flowers held above the foliage. The small club-shaped fruits are densely covered in hooked bristles that catch on fur and clothing. The two notched petals and burr-like fruit separate enchanter's nightshade from true nightshades and from speedwells.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 2'4"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Circaea spp. flowers through summer, roughly June to August, with small white or pink flowers opening in succession up slender spikes. The bristly fruits develop soon after and persist into autumn. Plants spread more by rhizome than by seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pale pink

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Tolerates up to 4 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt peat

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Circaea spp. needs little care and grows in part to full shade in moist, humus-rich woodland soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. The genus grows well in cool, damp, shaded ground and spreads freely by underground rhizomes, so it is given room or a contained position where its spread is acceptable. No feeding is needed in reasonable woodland soil. Plants die back to the rootstock in winter and reappear in spring. Cutting plants down before the burrs form limits self-spread by seed, though the rhizomes will still extend. The genus tolerates dry shade poorly and prefers steady moisture.

Pruning

Circaea spp. needs no formal pruning. Stems are cut down before the bristly fruits ripen to reduce unwanted seeding, and again to the ground in late autumn as they die back. Rhizomes are dug out to limit the spread of the patch.