dragon's mouth
Arethusa bulbosa
USDA zones3 to 7
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moist to wet soil
Sizeup to 16 inches tall
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Pink
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Dragon's mouth (Arethusa bulbosa) is a perennial for specimen plantings, meadows, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full or part sun and moist to wet, sandy or loamy soil. Each stalk carries one bright pink, fragrant flower that looks like an open mouth. Bumblebees land on the lip petal and enter the flower for nectar.
Pairs well with Grass pink, Common pitcher plant, Royal fern, and Tamarack.
Native range
CT, DC, DE, IL, and 24 more places. See all 28
CT, DC, DE, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, WI; MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC, and SK.