Toxic Plant Connu comme étant toxique - The berries and other plant parts should not be eaten. They may cause gastrointestinal upset and are potentially harmful to children and pets.
Image of Clintonia borealis
Source: Margaret Unger
Clintonia borealis

Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Clintonia borealis
Yellow Clintonia
Clintonie boréale

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Jaune Bloom Period: May - Jun
Hauteur max: 2,0 feet
Max Width: 1,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Moisture wet Tolère des conditions de sol humide
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
Landscape Uses:
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
Tolerates:
Acidic Soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Yellow Clintonia is a beautiful woodland perennial with broad, glossy green leaves arranged in a low clump. A single flowering stem rises above the foliage in late spring, carrying several yellow, bell-shaped flowers. These are followed by distinctive blue berries. It naturally grows in cool, moist forests and acidic woodland soils. It prefers partial to full shade and humus-rich soil. It is slow-growing and can take several years to establish. It is best left undisturbed once established. Keep soil consistently moist, particularly during establishment as it does not tolerate hot, dry conditions.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Clintonia borealis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Maritime de l'Atlantique
  • Taïga du Bouclier
  • Plaines boréales
  • Plaines hudsoniennes
  • Bouclier boréal
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Clintonia borealis

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Clintonia borealis

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Astilbe (Astilbe)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 2 years
  • Double dormancy required
  • Notes: Keep seeds moist in fridge. Sow promptly

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting:
    • Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water to remove flesh, rinse throroughly using a strainer
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: None
  • Seed storage:
    • Garder humide et frais, dans un sac refermable au frigo, avec les graines dans du sol, du papier essuie-tout ou un filtre à café, jusqu'au don
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non-seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

The berries and other plant parts should not be eaten. They may cause gastrointestinal upset and are potentially harmful to children and pets.