woodland wildflower
Hairy sweet cicely
Osmorhiza claytonii
Also known as Clayton's Sweetroot, Hairy Sweet-cicely, Sweet Jarvil
1 of 2Native to much of the USA and southern Canada
Quebec, south to Georgia mountains, northwestern Arkansas and eastern Kansas (more abundant northward)
- Light Full shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 3–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for full shade and evenly moist soil. Its white flowers peak in May. At up to 3 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Hairy sweet cicely's white flowers bloom April to June, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws bees.
Hairy sweet cicely blooms whiteFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Pure Green Sweat bee
also Orange-legged Furrow Bee, Cresson's Mining Bee, Andrena personata +7 more
Illinois Cuckoo Nomad Bee, Sphecodes townesi, Augochloropsis fulgida, Nomada parva, Nomada hydrophylli, Spring Beauty Miner, Nomada sayi
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (33): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (6): MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Quebec, south to Georgia mountains, northwestern Arkansas and eastern Kansas (more abundant northward)The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8 · Canadian 2–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, rich soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- Schizocarp; ripens May–JulThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.