Wood Betony - Pedicularis canadensis

Bare Roots will be ready in April for pick up or shipping

Phonetic: pe-dik-yoo-LAIR-is ka-na-DEN-sis

Wood betony is a perennial that typically grows 6 to 12 inches tall., making it an ideal choice for a ground cover. It thrives in full sun to partially shaded areas and prefers moderately moist, well-drained soil, though it can tolerate slightly dry or sandy conditions once established. Notably Wood Betony is hemiparasitic, meaning it obtains some of its nutrients from the roots of nearby grasses and forbs, which helps maintain plant diversity in its native habitats.

Wood Betony blooms in spring, typically from April to May. Its dense spikes of tubular flowers appear above the foliage and are particularly showy early in the season when few other native plants are in bloom. These flowers are highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees, which are among the few insects strong enough to access the nectar hidden deep within. After pollination, the plant produces small seed capsules by early summer. The seeds are dispersed close to the parent plant, allowing it to form small colonies that return year after year.

In the native ecosystem, wood betony plays an important role in promoting biodiversity and supporting pollinator populations. It is a host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly. By parasitizing dominant grasses, it reduces their vigor, allowing a greater variety of wildflowers to coexist in prairie and woodland ecosystems. This ecological balancing act helps maintain healthy, species-rich plant communities. Its early-season blooms provide one of the first substantial nectar sources for native bees sustaining them during a critical period of the year.

• Hardiness Zone: 4-8
• Native Region: BONAP Map
• BONAP Map Key Color Guide: Map Color Key
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun
• Flower Color: Yellow
• Bloom Time: April, May, 
• Soil Type: Dry, Medium Dry, Medium, Moist
• Mature Plant Size: 1'H, 6''W
• Plant Spacing: 6-12''
• Host Plant: Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies 
• Advantages: Poor Soil Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Rabbet Resistant, 
• Landscape Uses: Woodland Edges, Sun Garden, Butterfly Garden, Ground Cover
• Companion Plants: Little Blue Stem, Pennsylvania Sedge, Wild Strawberry, Virginia Blue Bells