Yellowroot

Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Yellowroot is one of those plants that makes the problem of a wet, shady slope suddenly solvable. It spreads by rhizomes to form a dense, weed-suppressing groundcover in conditions where most plants struggle. stream edges, rain garden margins, shaded slopes that stay moist after every rain. The compound leaves are attractive all season, and in October they turn a warm bronze-yellow that stands out in the shade garden. Small purplish flowers appear in spring before the leaves fully emerge, modest but appreciated by early pollinators. The bright yellow inner bark gave the plant its name and was historically used as a dye. At one to three feet tall, yellowroot bridges the gap between groundcover and low shrub, making it a practical choice for any slope or drainage area that needs holding.