Looking great, despite our cold winter temperatures is the fabulous North American (Canada south to Alabama) native groundcover, Dentaria diphylla (aka: Cardamine diphylla). This woodland native spreads slowly via a thick rhizome, usually found at, or just below the soil surface. The silver-veined foliage often has a contrasting purple back in many clones. In our climate, the foliage goes dormant in late summer, and re-emerges in November/December. In late winter, usually late February/early March, the clumps are topped with 10″ tall spikes of light lavender flowers. These are great to add winter interest to what are often dull winter woodland gardens.
Although the common name, toothwort, alludes to its long-time use for tooth ailments, but its also had a long history of use by early Americans for its antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Winter hardiness zone 4a-8b.
