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Fringecups

Tellima grandiflora

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade

Water

moderate

Soil

Medium; Forest soil with high organic content.

Size

1–3ft tall , 2–2ft wide

Bloom

Mar-Aug

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

Redwood forests and moist woodland understory of the North Coast Ranges from Humboldt to Sonoma County, below 3000 ft elevation, extending to Oregon.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Fringecups in part shade to deep shade - it thrives in the moist, shaded understory of woodland gardens and won't be happy in full sun. Choose a spot with medium-draining soil rich in organic matter, similar to forest soil; amend heavily with compost if your garden soil is lean or compacted. Space plants about 1–2 feet apart if you're using them as a groundcover. Plant in fall or early spring to give roots time to establish before summer.

After Planting

Water weekly for the first summer, then taper to once weekly or less once established, since this plant only needs moderate water and can get by with minimal summer irrigation. Don't fuss with pruning - just remove dead leaves in late winter before new growth emerges. Year one is about establishment; the plant will bloom spring through August with delicate red, pink, or white flowers once settled in. The biggest mistake is overwatering or planting in sun; Fringecups will sulk and decline if kept too wet or exposed, so err on the side of drier and shadier than you think.

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