Hydrastis canadensis - Goldenseal

Sizes available: TBD, coming in 2026

Basics: zones 3-8, 9-12" x 9-12", part shade, numerous white stamens (that read as a small white flower) develop into a cluster of red fruit. The dainty bloom appears over the top of two large lobed leaves in early to mid spring. Likes a good leaf mulch and consistent moisture in woodland soils (maybe on the lime-y side). Has some drought tolerance once established. 

Common names: Goldenseal, Orangeroot, Yellow Puccoon

Family: Ranunculaceae

Origin/Distribution: Native from Vermont west to Michigan and Minnesota and south through Virginia and into the mountains of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Occurs in parts of New England, in which it is rare and/or endangered, but not Maine

Habitat: Found in mesic, deciduous woods in nutritious, cool soils, also in sheltered ravines and on talus slopes.

More: This plant has been over-collected in the wild. However, there are some commercial nurseries that have been successful propagating it at scale and the plants I offer are nursery-grown. It is important to support growers who are farming this valuable medicinal versus wild-collecting it. In its native range, Goldenseal's survival is also challenged by mountain-top removal mining, which decimates the existing ecosystem in which it lives. Goldenseal has been used medicinally and also as a dye. It is potentially toxic and pregnant women should not ingest this plant. It is often found growing with Jeffersonia diphylla and Dicentra canadensis and all three planted together would make a lovely woodland ground cover. 

Source: Native Wildflowers Nursery

Image credits: both images are from Wikimedia Commons