Uvularia sessilifolia
sessile bellwort
Overview
Uvularia sessilifolia is a low, spreading woodland perennial in the family Colchicaceae, growing 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall from slender rhizomes that form loose colonies. The thin, arching stems carry alternate, stalkless (sessile), lance-shaped to oval leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, pale green and smooth, whitened beneath. In mid spring one or a few narrow, bell-shaped, pale straw-yellow flowers 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) long hang from the stem tips, the tepals barely opening. The fruit is a three-angled green capsule. After flowering the plant continues to extend its leafy stems through the season before dying back in fall. It spreads steadily by rhizomes to form a low groundcover in time, though it can be slow to fill in. U. sessilifolia grows in moist to dry deciduous woods, thickets, and clearings on acidic soils.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, Uvularia sessilifolia ranges from Nova Scotia and Ontario south to Georgia and west to Minnesota and Arkansas. It grows in moist to dry deciduous and mixed woods, woodland edges, thickets, and clearings, usually on acidic soils.Suggested Uses
Used as a low groundcover in shade and woodland gardens, native plant gardens, and naturalized plantings under deciduous trees. It combines with ferns, sedges, and other spring woodlanders. Over time it forms a soft, spreading carpet in dappled shade.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open in mid spring, generally April to May, hanging from the stem tips for about 2 weeks. The pale yellow bells barely open and are pollinated by early bees. Seed capsules ripen by early summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
pale greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 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
Grows in part shade to full shade in moist, well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil with a pH around 4.5-6.5. Cool, consistent moisture in spring supports growth and spread, and the plant tolerates drier shade through summer. It spreads by thin rhizomes into a low colony but is slow to establish in the first few years. Division of the rhizomes in early spring or fall is the usual means of increase. A leaf-litter mulch maintains the woodland soil it favors. Foliage persists into fall before the plant goes dormant for winter.Pruning
No pruning is needed. The foliage is left in place to feed the rhizomes until it dies back in fall. Spent stems are cleared in late fall or early spring.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons