Uvularia: Planting, Growing and Caring

Botany

Uvularia is a herbaceous perennial with rootstocks, native to eastern North America (Canada and the United States), where it grows in woodland understorey. It is therefore a shade-loving plant that thrives in moist, humus-bearing, slightly acidic soils. It is fully hardy, tolerating temperatures around -15 to -20 °C. There are 5 species of Uvularia, all endemic to North America, but it is mainly Uvularia grandiflora that is cultivated. Nevertheless, it remains rather rare in cultivation and is seldom seen in gardens, despite its fine ornamental qualities and relative ease of cultivation.

Uvularia grandiflora: Botanical illustration

Although not belonging to the same family, Uvularia shares similarities with Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum). It enjoys the same growing conditions: moist, humus-bearing, slightly acidic soil in woodland understorey. Both develop from rootstocks and have arching stems with similar oval lanceolate deciduous foliage, and bell-shaped trailing flowers – yellow in Uvularia and white in Solomon’s Seal.

Uvularia also closely resembles Disporum, an Asian woodland perennial. These plants are both nicknamed Fairy Bells. They belong to the same family (along with Gloriosa and Sandersonia): the Colchicaceae.

The genus name comes from the Latin uvula, meaning “little grape”, alluding to how the flowers hang towards the ground. The species name grandiflora means “large-flowered”.

Uvularia develops from its rootstocks and forms clumps of single or ramified stems, initially upright then arching at the top, trailing. It reaches between 30 and 70 cm in height, with a spread of 30 to 40 cm. Uvularia grows slowly and spreads slightly via its rootstocks without becoming invasive.

Uvularia flowers in spring, from April to May. The flowers appear terminally at the stem tips, which arch slightly under their weight. They are solitary or in pairs, borne on long peduncles. The flowers are yellow, trumpet-shaped, 4 to 5 cm long, and inclined towards the ground. They are tubular and composed of 6 long free tepals (3 sepals and 3 petals all looking alike), each beautifully twisted in a spiral. The flowers contain nectar and are appreciated by bees and bumblebees which ensure their pollination.

The flowering of Uvularia grandiflora: overall view and flower detail. Note the spiralled petals twisting upon themselves. (photos: Krzysztof Ziarnek / Eric Hunt / Heiditoronto)

Uvularia’s foliage develops fully after flowering and remains decorative throughout summer. It disappears in autumn as Uvularia is a deciduous plant, entering dormancy.

Uvularia has very beautiful foliage resembling that of Solomon’s Seal. The leaves, 8 to 10 cm long, are oval lanceolate, a lovely soft green colour, and downy underneath. They are inserted alternately on the stems (one leaf after another) and are perfoliate: the stem that bears them passes through the lamina.

Uvularia’s fruits are curious triangular capsules containing small round brown seeds. The seeds have the peculiarity of bearing small protuberances called elaiosomes, meant to attract ants. The ants carry the seeds to feed their larvae, then once the larvae have consumed the elaiosome, the ants store the seeds with other ant nest debris, allowing Uvularia seeds to germinate in an especially favourable and nutrient-rich medium.

Young shoots of a Bellwort starting its spring growth, developed foliage, and a capsule containing seeds (photos: Salicyna / Sonnia Hill / Krzysztof Ziarnek)

The main varieties of Uvularia

The Most Popular Varieties

Uvularia grandiflora

This is the most widespread species. In spring, it bears beautiful trailing bell-shaped flowers in bright yellow. It has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Uvularia grandiflora var. pallida

Very similar to Uvularia grandiflora, this variety stands out with its creamy-yellow flowers, displaying a softer and lighter hue.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Planting

Where to plant?

Uvularia is a woodland plant that thrives in shade or partial shade. You can plant it at the base of trees or bushes, alongside other small shade-loving perennials (hostas, ferns, brunneras, epimediums, trilliums…), to create a very natural scene. Like most forest plants, it prefers humus-bearing, light, loose and well-aerated soils that remain cool even in summer. It dislikes compact and clay-heavy soils where water stagnates in winter. If your soil is heavy, improve it by adding organic matter: leaf mould, well-rotted manure, mature compost… Uvularia has a preference for acidic soils, making it an easy fit for a heather soil bed. It can also be grown in a large pot or container placed on a shaded terrace or balcony.

When to plant?

Plant Uvularia in early spring (March-April) or autumn (September-October). The most important thing is to avoid periods of frost or extreme heat.

How to plant?

If planting multiple young plants, space them at least 30 cm apart.

1. Soak the root ball in a basin of water to rehydrate it.
2. Dig a large planting hole, two to three times the size of the root ball.
3. Add well-rotted compost and optionally some heather soil, mixing it with the planting soil.
4. Place the Uvularia in the centre of the planting hole.
5. Backfill with soil, gently firming to ensure good contact between the soil and roots and to eliminate air pockets.
6. Water generously.
7. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the root ball (dead leaves, straw…). This will help prevent the soil from drying out too quickly while suppressing weed growth.

Continue to water regularly in the weeks following planting.

Uvularia grandiflora

Maintenance

The Uvularia requires very little maintenance. It is a perennial and highly hardy plant, capable of withstanding occasional temperatures as low as -20°C. However, it is sensitive to drought and needs the soil to remain relatively moist throughout the year, even in summer. We recommend applying a layer of organic mulch (dead leaves, straw, wood chips, etc.) around its base to retain soil moisture and to water occasionally during dry spells. Be particularly vigilant in the first year to ensure it does not lack water while it establishes itself.

We advise marking its location with a stake or label to avoid trampling the stump in autumn and winter when its foliage has disappeared.

Feel free to add a little well-rotted compost around its base each year to enrich the soil.

In spring, slugs and snails can cause significant damage as they are fond of the young leaves of Uvularia. Stay alert and protect your young plants when the first shoots emerge in spring.

Propagation

Uvularia can be propagated by sowing or division of clumps.

Sowing

Sowing is carried out in autumn.

1. Prepare a pot by filling it with special sowing compost.
2. Lightly firm down and level the surface.
3. Sow the seeds by scattering them on the surface.
4. Cover with a thin layer of compost.
5. Water gently with a fine spray.
6. Place the pot in a cold frame, in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight.

Ensure the substrate remains slightly moist until germination. Be patient, as the seeds may take up to 6 months to germinate.

Once the seedlings reach a size that allows handling, you can repot them into individual pots.

Division of Clumps

As Uvularia is a rhizomatous plant, dividing clumps by sectioning the rootstock is quite straightforward. Division is best done in late winter.

1. Choose a well-established clump that has been growing for several years.
2. Dig it up using a spade, taking care to dig wide enough to avoid damaging the roots.
3. Remove excess soil to expose the rootstock.
4. Separate the clump into several sections by cutting the rootstock, ensuring each new clump retains roots.
5. Replant in pots or a new location after preparing the soil.
6. Water generously.

Association

As Uvularia is a shade-loving plant, it will be perfect in a woodland garden to create a natural atmosphere alongside ferns such as Dryopteris wallichiana or Blechnum spicant, as well as with hostas, epimediums, brunneras… Also consider the lovely flowering of bluebells, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, which offer charming little blue bells in April-May. Discover also the Trillium grandiflorum, which boasts beautiful flowers composed of three pure white petals. Take inspiration from plants found naturally in French woodlands, such as cowslips Primula veris, comfrey, lungwort, and ferns.

Uvularia easily finds its place in a shaded, naturalistic woodland garden! Anemone nemorosa ‘Lychette’, Dryopteris wallichiana, Epimedium pubigerum ‘Orangekönigin’, Uvularia grandiflora, Hyacinthoides non-scripta and Trillium grandiflorum

Thriving in acid soils, Uvularia will integrate effortlessly into a heather soil bed, alongside acidophilous bushes: rhododendrons and azaleas, Pieris japonica, Skimmia, Andromeda polifolia, and camellias. Enjoy the striking and highly decorative foliage of a Japanese maple. You can also incorporate the heather Erica darleyensis ‘Spring Surprise’, which will delight you in spring with its countless tiny pink flowers!

Uvularia can also find a place at the feet of spring-flowering bushes, such as Exochordas, Judas trees, Japanese quinces, and flowering cherries like the stunning Prunus serrulata ‘Kiku Shidare Zakura’. You can also pair it with spring bulbs: daffodils, grape hyacinths, fritillaries, tulips…

Don’t hesitate to pair Uvularia with heather soil-loving bushes. Camellia ‘Cinnamon Scentsation’, Uvularia grandiflora, Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’, Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’, Andromeda polifolia ‘Nikko’ and Azalea ‘Narcissiflora’

→ Discover more pairing ideas with Uvularias in our advice sheet!