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At a Glance
TypePerennial
HabitMounding
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height16-36 inches (40-90 cm)
Width12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Maturity3 years
Key Features
Attracts PollinatorsDeer ResistantDrought TolerantFragrant (light)Container Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancelow
Overview
A clump-forming, rhizomatous, semi-evergreen perennial in the family Saxifragaceae, native to moist coniferous and mixed forests, shaded stream banks, and moist forest edges from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to northern California — the sole species in the genus Tellima, which is endemic to western North America. The specific epithet grandiflora means 'large-flowered,' referring to the relatively showy flowers within the genus. Plants grow 16–36 inches (40–90 cm) tall in bloom. The basal rosette of long-petioled, heart-shaped to kidney-shaped leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) wide with 5–7 shallow rounded lobes and coarsely toothed margins is the dominant vegetative feature — the leaves have a soft, hairy texture and are present year-round as a semi-evergreen groundcover in mild winters. From April through June, slender stems 16–36 inches (40–90 cm) tall bear a terminal raceme of 15–35 small, nodding, cup-shaped flowers 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) across — the petals are deeply cut into narrow, fringe-like segments that give the flowers their distinctive lacy, fringed appearance (and the common name 'fringecup'). Flowers open greenish-white to cream, aging progressively to pink and finally rose-purple as the season advances, creating a subtle multi-colored effect on a single raceme. Lightly fragrant. Non-toxic. The sole member of the genus Tellima — the name is an anagram of Mitella (bishop's cap), a closely related genus.
Native Range
Native to moist coniferous and mixed forests, shaded stream banks, and moist forest edges from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon to northern California.Suggested Uses
Planted as a native shade perennial groundcover beneath trees and in woodland gardens in Pacific Northwest moist shaded settings at 12–18 inch (30–45 cm) spacing. The fringed flower racemes April–June add delicate texture to shaded borders; the heart-shaped semi-evergreen foliage provides year-round ground-level interest. Combines with Tiarella trifoliata, Achlys triphylla, Cornus unalaschkensis, and Polypodium glycyrrhiza in native PNW forest understory plantings. Of educational value for demonstrating Saxifragaceae flower structure, the fringed petal modification, progressive flower color change, and Tellima as a monotypic genus endemic to western North America.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'4" - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Blooms April through June for 6–8 weeks. Slender stems bear terminal racemes of 15–35 nodding, cup-shaped flowers 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) with deeply fringed petals. Flowers open greenish-white to cream at the base of the raceme, progressively aging to pink and then rose-purple toward the top and as the season advances — a single raceme often displays all three color stages simultaneously. Lightly fragrant; visited by small native bees and bumblebees.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
DEEPLY FRINGED PETALS — primary ID character; greenish-white to cream aging to PINK to ROSE-PURPLE on same raceme; 15–35 nodding cup-shaped flowers 0.3–0.4 inch; Apr–Jun; lightly fragrant; visited by small native bees; raceme displays multiple color stages simultaneouslyFoliage Description
medium to dark green; heart-shaped to kidney-shaped 2–4 inches with 5–7 shallow lobes and coarse teeth; soft hairy texture; semi-evergreen; grandiflora = 'large-flowered'; SOLE species in genus Tellima (anagram of Mitella); endemic to western North AmericaGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in partial shade to full shade in moist to average, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Thrives in the moist forest understory conditions of the Pacific Northwest and tolerates deep shade. Self-seeds freely in favorable moist conditions, forming naturalized colonies over time. Drought-tolerant once established in shaded conditions. Divide clumps every 3–4 years to maintain vigor. The sole species in genus Tellima.Pruning
Remove spent flower stems after blooming to reduce self-seeding if spread is a concern. The basal foliage is semi-evergreen — remove dead or damaged leaves in early spring. Division in early spring every 3–4 years maintains vigor.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springearly spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons