Sarracenia minor (Hooded Pitcher Plant)

Resembling the California Cobra Lily, Sarracenia minor (Hooded Pitcher Plant) is a carnivorous perennial prized for its upright, yellow-green pitchers topped by an overarching hood. Tinted bronze or pink in full sun, the hood hides the opening of the pitcher and prevents rain to be collected in this species. Sarracenia minor is unique in having a number of white areoles on the upper portion of its pitcher. They are opaque windows that trick insects into going further inside the trap. Downward pointing hairs on the inside prevent trapped insects from escaping. They fall down into a digestive fluid at the bottom of the pitcher where they will decompose and nutrients get absorbed. In spring, mildly fragrant, clear yellow or green flowers rise atop leafless stalks. This plant is best grown in the consistently moist soils of a bog garden or in containers. It is a great addition to the neutral to acid water garden.

• Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). Sarracenia minor tends to form small colonies when happy.
• Thrives in full sun in consistently moist to wet, acid soil. Irrigate with lime-free water and do not fertilize plantings. Soils must never dry out, but plant crowns should not sit for prolonged periods in water. Mulch with pine needles in winter to protect plants from cold temperatures.
• Generally disease free. Keep an eye out for scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, and tortrix moths.
• Propagate by seed, but the plant will not flower for the first 4-5 years. Easiest propagation is by rhizome division.
• Native to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.