Large Bellwort is an easy to grow native perennial wildflower in the Colchicaceae family and is found mostly in the western part of NC. The large pendulous lily-like yellow flowers give the plant a droopy appearance due to their weight and the weight of the leaves. Blooming occurs in April and May. Mulch with pine needle to deter slugs. It prefers moist, humusy soil and partial shade to full shade but can tolerate occasional dry soil. The root system is rhizomatous, from which offsets are often produced and can occasionally form colonies. Works well in woodland gardens, shady borders or allowed to naturalize. A great companion to ferns, Hostas and other woodland plants. It can be grown from seed, however, plant immediately after they ripen, which will occur in late summer. Don't let the seeds dry out. Division of mature clumps can be accomplished in the spring or fall. Division is preferred over seeding for quicker results. An maturity, the central stem will divide into 2 to 3 side stems. Immature plants typically have undivided stems. Mature plants have a single flower on each side stem. The flower has an elongated bell-like shape. The flowers have a mild fragrance. Their bloom period, occurring in mid spring, extends for a period of approximately 2 weeks. Once the flowers have bloomed, they are replaced by a seed capsule. Each capsule contains several seeds. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems though young plants can be damaged by slugs. Frequently damaged by deer.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Up to 6 inch long and 2-inch wide pale green lance-shaped leaves that circle the stem and have a fine down on the lower surface, which is white to greenish-white.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
1.5 inch deep lemon-yellow flowers with six smooth but twisted perianth parts. The solitary flower is pendulous and shaped like a long narrow bell. They bloom from April to May
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
3-celled seed capsule with 3 rounded lobes and a rounded tip. The cells contain several seeds. They display from July to August
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
A central stem will divide into 2 or 3 side stems when the plant is mature.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern and central North America
Distribution
AL , AR , CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NH , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: MB , ON , QC
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Uvularia support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Derandrena) uvulariae. Wildlife may feed on the foliage.
Attracts
Pollinators; Specialized Bees
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Naturalized Area; Patio; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Walkways; Woodland