Clintonia uniflora (Queen Cup)

Carpeting the forest floor, Clintonia uniflora (Queen Cup) is a charming woodland perennial forming a basal clump of 2-3 fleshy, oblong, glossy green leaves, up to 6 in. long (15 cm). From late spring to mid-summer, a leafless flowering stalk rises well above the basal rosette. It bears one or two star-like white flowers with bright yellow stamens. Each blossom is followed by an exquisite amethyst-blue berry in late summer. The berries are relished by ruffled grouse. Lovely in groups under trees, in cool, moist, shady locations where it will happily multiply to form an attractive ground cover. This North American species can live for 30 or more years.

• Grows in clumps up to 6-10 in. tall and wide (15-25 cm). This understory plant has slender rhizomes that spread gradually, forming large, long-lived colonies over time.
• Easily grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils in part shade or full shade.
• Great for shade gardens, woodland gardens, underplanting shrubs or roses, bogs, or along ponds and streams.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails.
• Propagate by root divisions taken in spring or by seed. Seedlings will take up to 4 years to flower.
• Native to western North America.