overall plant
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: large-flowered bellwort
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Colchicaceae
Native Range: Eastern and central North America
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Prefers a moist, humusy soil and part shade.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Uvularia grandiflora is a Missouri native wildflower. It is a clump-forming, erect plant that grows to 2' tall and features 1.5" long, pendulous, somewhat bell-shaped, yellow flowers with six, partially twisted tepals (petal and sepal look-alikes) and lance-shaped, perfoliate (leaf base encircles the stem), partially twisted, bright green leaves. Plant has overall droopy appearance. Occurs in the wild typically in rich woodlands, on wooded slopes and in alluvial valleys.
Genus name comes from the anatomical term uvula referring to the lobe hanging from the back of the soft palate in man in reference to the hanging blossoms.
Specific epithet means large-flowered.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Young growth susceptible to slugs.
Uses
An excellent native shade plant for the woodland garden, shaded border front, wildflower garden or naturalized area. Mass plantings under shade trees or along wood margins can be effective.