Bowman's root also called Indian physic is a wonderful perennial that brightens up the garden in June. Most of the early and late spring perennial wildflowers have stopped blooming and some have gone dormant when Bowman's root flowers. This makes it an excellent companion plant for spring ephemerals.
Bowman's root does not emerge from the soil until May. The reddish stems expand into leaves that are toothed and divided into threes. The leaves are bright green. The flowers burst into bloom and look like little stars or fire works. In the fall the plant turns yellow.
Bowman's root will take full shade or full sun but it needs a moist well drained soil in full sun. The pant grows 2 to 3 feet. It is excellent along path ways but give it room to grow. Do not plant them any closer than 2 1/2 to 3 feet from paths or other plants.
The white flowers really brighten up shaded areas. Plant with other woodland plants for later blooms in the garden. Bowman's root looks great with Swamp Milkweed. Bow Man's root flowers before it and foliage hides Swamp Milkweeds' leggyness. This works with other leggy plants too such as New England Aster and Tall meadow Rue.
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