Bowman’s root

Bowman’s root: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Loose, bushy clump 60–90 cm tall and about 60 cm wide, with thin, reddish stems.

Foliage

Divided into three narrow, toothed leaflets; fresh green, red to orange in autumn.

Flower

Star-shaped, 2–3 cm, with five narrow white petals, sometimes flushed pink; in June–July.

Calyx

Red and persistent: after flowering the little calyces stay decorative for weeks.

Roots

A deep, sturdy rootstock; it dislikes being moved.

Flowering: June–July · Plants: March–April and September–October · Pruning: March

Why grow it?

• An airy cloud of small white stars in June–July that makes a border feel light and natural.
• After flowering the red calyces and stems stay attractive; in autumn the leaves take on warm red tones.
• Bees visit the open flowers.
• Very hardy and long-lived: a plant for many years in the same spot.
• Suits a border in partial shade, a woodland edge or a naturalistic garden.

Bowman’s root: where does it grow best?

• Light or partial shade is ideal; full sun only if the soil stays moist.
• Humus-rich loam or clay, acid to neutral.
• Normally moist to moist: do not let it dry out in summer.
• Allow 50–60 cm between plants and choose a permanent spot from the start, as it dislikes being moved.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Loam or clay

Acidity

Acid or neutral

Moisture

Normal or wet

Size

0.9 m tall, 0.6 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -35 °C)

Goes well with

• Ferns: A green carpet in the same light shade.
• Hosta: Large, calm leaves beside the fine, airy flowers.
• Masterwort: Flowers at the same time in partial shade, in white, pink or red.
• Cranesbill: A low ground cover at its feet.
• Japanese anemone: Takes over the flowering in late summer.

Bowman’s root: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–April and September–October.

1. Plant in March–April or September–October, when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged.
2. Dig a wide, deep hole and mix in leaf mould or well-rotted compost.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as it was in the pot and firm the soil well.
4. Space plants 50–60 cm apart.
5. Water in thoroughly straight away and keep the soil moist during the first year.
6. Mulch with leaf mould to keep the soil cool and moist.

Care

Watering

Regularly in dry spells during the first year; after that in dry summers, especially in a sunny spot.

Feeding

A layer of leaf mould or compost in March is enough.

Mulching

Every spring, leaf mould or fine wood chips around the base.

Support

In too much shade or a windy spot the stems can flop; a few twiggy sticks or a ring help.

Leave alone

Do not disturb it: dividing or moving it is unnecessary and holds back growth.

Tip: Choose the right spot in light shade straight away and then leave it alone: the clump becomes fuller and more beautiful every year.

Bowman’s root: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March.

When: It hardly needs pruning: simply cut off last year’s dead stems in March.

How:

• In March, cut the dead stems to just above the ground, before the new shoots appear.
• Leave the stems until then: the autumn colour and winter silhouette are attractive.
• There is no need to deadhead: the red calyces stay decorative for a long time.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Seed

Sow fresh seed in autumn in a pot and leave it outdoors: it needs a cold spell to germinate. Seedlings grow slowly.

Division

Possible in early spring with a sharp spade, but the plant is slow to recover. Only do it when really necessary.

Bowman’s root: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −35 °C.

• Extremely hardy, to about −35 °C: no protection is needed in Belgium.
• The top growth dies back in autumn; mark the spot so that you do not damage the young shoots in spring.
• In a pot: choose a large, deep pot and stand it in a sheltered place so that the roots do not freeze solid.

Diseases and pests

• Slugs: They eat the young shoots in spring. Pick them off in the evening or protect the young shoots.
• Brown leaf edges: A sign of drought or too much sun. Water and mulch, or move it to a cooler spot in autumn.
• Slow to establish: After moving or dividing it barely grows for a year or two. Leave it undisturbed afterwards.
• Flopping stems: In deep shade the stems become weak. Give it more light or a little support.

Through the year

• March: Cut off dead stems. Apply leaf mould. Plant.
• April: Plant. Protect young shoots from slugs.
• May: Water in dry spells. Add support if needed.
• June: Flowering begins.
• July: In flower. Water in dry spells.
• August: The red calyces stay decorative.
• September: Plant.
• October: Autumn colour. Plant. Sow seed in a pot outdoors.
• November: Leave the stems for their winter silhouette.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• It belongs to the rose family, although you would never guess it from the airy little flowers.
• In older books it is also listed as Porteranthus trifoliatus.
• After flowering the white petals drop, but the red calyces stay on the plant for weeks.