woodland wildflower

Bitterroot

Lewisia rediviva

Also known as Bitter Root, Oregon Bitter-root

Native to the Pacific Coast, the Rockies, and the Southwest and southern Canada

East of the Cascades from southeastern British Columbia to northern California, east to the mountains of Montana, Colorado and northern Arizona

In the garden

A woodland wildflower for partial shade. At up to 3 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–10.

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Find your zone:

Bees Yellow-faced Bumble Bee

also Western Honey Bee, Tripartite Sweat Bee, Agapostemon texanus +18 more
Nevada Bumble Bee, Great Basin Bumble Bee, Confusing Furrow Bee, Nearctic Bumble Bee, Eucera fulvitarsis, Tiny Small carpenter, hoary sweat bee, Nevada Sweat Bee, California Mason Bee, Osmia atrocyanea, Lawrence's Miner Bee, Osmia bella, Osmia ednae, Eucera virgata, Viereck's Miner Bee, Edwards's Long-horned Bee, Andrena transnigra, Ceratina pacifica
Butterflies Mitoura gryneus also Hesperiidae sp.
Beetles Cortodera subpilosa

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Pacific Coast, the Rockies, and the Southwest and southern CanadaUnited States (10): AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY. Canada (2): AB, BC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: East of the Cascades from southeastern British Columbia to northern California, east to the mountains of Montana, Colorado and northern ArizonaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Light: Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Hardiness zones: USDA 3–10 · Canadian 2–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Loose rocksThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).

Height: up to 3 in (to 8 cm)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~0 ft (0.1 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).