Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Sizes available: 2 quart

Basics: zones 4-9, 24-30" x 36", part sun to full shade, small, purplish-brown blooms in mid to late spring, but the foliage is the star of the show, light green and reminiscent of lovage or celery, these leaves display orange-y and red-purple tones as the season cools, drought tolerant once established when planted in shade, but in sunny positions will need consistent moisture to do well. Likes sandy or gravelly soils on the acid side. 

Common names: Yellowroot, Shrub Yellowroot, Brook-feather, Parsley-leaved Yellowroot, Scurvyroot, Yellow Wort

Family: Ranunculaceae

Origin/Distribution: from Pennsylvania and central West Virginia south to Florida and Louisiana; this plant is naturalizing in parts of New England

Habitat: open, dappled shade in moist soils, streamside, low areas where moisture persists

More: Yellowroot is a suckering, deciduous, perennial shrub with ground cover potential. This plant contains berberine and has been used medicinally. The inner bark and roots have been used to make yellow dye. Like Hay-scented fern, this is a strong grower. Planting it in more sun with drier soils will help curtail its spread if that's what you want. However, I see this as an opportunity for a good ground cover where other plants have trouble and offering a cool shady protective understory for numerous creatures. Game birds, song birds, and small mammals will eat the fruits. The leaves look even more fresh and beautiful in dappled woodland light. Also good on slopes as erosion control. Deer resistant.

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credits: Van Berkum Nursery