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Gillenia trifoliata

Bowman's Root · Fawn's Breath · Mountain Indian-physic

Family RosaceaeGenus Gillenia

A white flower of four narrow strap-shaped petals set at angles, with slim red-pink buds on wiry stems behind it.
FlowerCephasCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Perennial, WildflowerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
2-4 ft0.6-1.2 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1.5-3 ft45-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

Two sources report 9 treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Up in April.

No stated waiting before sowing.

70% germination.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Gillenia p. 46Public domain
Show the original text
Gillenia (Rosaceae). DS had a marked effect on germination of G. trifoliata Fresh seed germ. 70 GA-3(24% in 4-12 w)-40-70(32% in 1-3 w), 70% in April in outdoor treatment, and none in 70D or 70L. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 40(50% in 8-10 w)-70(4%), 70 GA-3(4%), and 70D(none). Seed DS 12 m at 70 germ. 40-70D{67% largeiy in 3rd w) and 70D(none). These results are not consistent.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Gillenia p. 46. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 30, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 29, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 70 days.

50% germination in 56–70 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Gillenia p. 46Public domain
Show the original text
Gillenia (Rosaceae). DS had a marked effect on germination of G. trifoliata Fresh seed germ. 70 GA-3(24% in 4-12 w)-40-70(32% in 1-3 w), 70% in April in outdoor treatment, and none in 70D or 70L. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 40(50% in 8-10 w)-70(4%), 70 GA-3(4%), and 70D(none). Seed DS 12 m at 70 germ. 40-70D{67% largeiy in 3rd w) and 70D(none). These results are not consistent.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Gillenia p. 46. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    24 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 21 days.

32% germination in 7–21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Gillenia p. 46Public domain
Show the original text
Gillenia (Rosaceae). DS had a marked effect on germination of G. trifoliata Fresh seed germ. 70 GA-3(24% in 4-12 w)-40-70(32% in 1-3 w), 70% in April in outdoor treatment, and none in 70D or 70L. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 40(50% in 8-10 w)-70(4%), 70 GA-3(4%), and 70D(none). Seed DS 12 m at 70 germ. 40-70D{67% largeiy in 3rd w) and 70D(none). These results are not consistent.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Gillenia p. 46. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing.

0% germination.

Nothing germinated at 70.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Gillenia p. 46Public domain
Show the original text
Gillenia (Rosaceae). DS had a marked effect on germination of G. trifoliata Fresh seed germ. 70 GA-3(24% in 4-12 w)-40-70(32% in 1-3 w), 70% in April in outdoor treatment, and none in 70D or 70L. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 40(50% in 8-10 w)-70(4%), 70 GA-3(4%), and 70D(none). Seed DS 12 m at 70 germ. 40-70D{67% largeiy in 3rd w) and 70D(none). These results are not consistent.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Gillenia p. 46. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 23, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 22, 2026.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 3 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 105 days.

55% germination in 105 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148Public domain
Show the original text
Gillenia (Rosaceae). G. trifoliata germ. best in 40-70 GA-3(55% in 15 w), less in 70 GA-3(15%), and none in 700, 70L, 4070D, or 40-70L. Seeds placed outdoors in September germ. 55% in April. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 40(50% in 8-10 w), 70 GA-3(4%), and 70D(none), but these expts. are only 3 m old.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Sow around September 2027 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 2026.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in September; up in April.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 210 days to germinate.

55% germination in 210 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148Public domain
Show the original text
Gillenia (Rosaceae). G. trifoliata germ. best in 40-70 GA-3(55% in 15 w), less in 70 GA-3(15%), and none in 700, 70L, 4070D, or 40-70L. Seeds placed outdoors in September germ. 55% in April. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 40(50% in 8-10 w), 70 GA-3(4%), and 70D(none), but these expts. are only 3 m old.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 7

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 30, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 29, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

about 6 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 70 days.

50% germination in 56–70 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148Public domain
Show the original text
Gillenia (Rosaceae). G. trifoliata germ. best in 40-70 GA-3(55% in 15 w), less in 70 GA-3(15%), and none in 700, 70L, 4070D, or 40-70L. Seeds placed outdoors in September germ. 55% in April. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 40(50% in 8-10 w), 70 GA-3(4%), and 70D(none), but these expts. are only 3 m old.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 8

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

15% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148Public domain
Show the original text
Gillenia (Rosaceae). G. trifoliata germ. best in 40-70 GA-3(55% in 15 w), less in 70 GA-3(15%), and none in 700, 70L, 4070D, or 40-70L. Seeds placed outdoors in September germ. 55% in April. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 40(50% in 8-10 w), 70 GA-3(4%), and 70D(none), but these expts. are only 3 m old.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 9

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Gibberellic acid soak

  3. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

4% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148Public domain
Show the original text
Gillenia (Rosaceae). G. trifoliata germ. best in 40-70 GA-3(55% in 15 w), less in 70 GA-3(15%), and none in 700, 70L, 4070D, or 40-70L. Seeds placed outdoors in September germ. 55% in April. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 40(50% in 8-10 w), 70 GA-3(4%), and 70D(none), but these expts. are only 3 m old.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Gillenia p. 148. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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