 |
| 10/23/13 |
I can't believe how well yellowroot does here. It has spread, I have dug it up roughly and replanted it, and it is always a lush, full groundcover with a lot of interest.
The entire strip in front of the spruces is in too much sun. This is a woodland plant and I have seen it, open and lacy in shady spots, just a few plants spread out.
But here I have it planted on the west facing berm and it bulks up and spreads into dense, weed-free colonies. The sun gives it fantastic color in fall.
In such hot dry conditions it does crisp a little in the middle of summer. I do give it extra water when it hasn't rained for a while.
I got these from Forestfarm, just six plants that have spread out all along the berm.
If they become overgrown or ragged, they can be cut back close to the ground in Spring, and will regrow. The low woody stems are "simple" (simplicissima) meaning they stand upright from the crown without branching.
The flowers are fuzzy rich purple in early April just before the leaves come out.
 |
| April 14, 2010 |
The roots really are bright yellow. It's easy to dig and cut them to help spread the plants.
The late October fall color is gorgeous, sometimes more golden, sometimes coppery.
The very early April flowers are fuzzy, funny purple spikes blooming on bare stems.
The entire swath is sited on the spruce berm, facing west, competing with the roots of big spruces, and really these are woodland plants that want some shade and moisture. But wow.
 |
| 10/23/13 |
 |
| 10/24/13 |
I added a bench in 2014 mainly to visually break up what was becoming an overly solid looking line of dense yellowroot edging the berm. I find that I sit on it a lot and enjoy the view back up the yard.
 |
| 7/31/14 |
I like how the bench nestles into the foliage.
One of the interesting things about this plant is the thicket of upright stems ("simplicissima" means straight and unbranched). Here in early December with the leaves off, it is clear how straight and upright they are.
Cut and replant runners. Easy to do.
 |
| 10/14/14 |
One of the interesting things about this plant is the thicket of upright stems ("simplicissima" means straight and unbranched). Here in early December with the leaves off, it is clear how straight and upright they are.
 |
| 12/5/15 |
Cut and replant runners. Easy to do.
