American barrenwort

Garden uses

Notes

American barrenwort (Vancouveria hexandra) is a perennial for woodland gardens, ground cover, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and average to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Its flowers have white petals that curve backward, so they look inside out. The apple-green leaves are split into sets of three. It spreads slowly by rhizomes, so it fills in a shady bed over time.

Pairs well with Woodland phlox, Lady fern, and Aureola Japanese forest grass.

Native range

Western United States.