Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Sanicula epipactis 'Thor'
Thor Dwarf Masterwort
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Height
- 6 to 10 in
- Width
- 10 to 14 in
- Flower color
- Small, true flowers are bright yellow and tightly clustered in rounded umbels, surrounded by large, daisy-like variegated cream-white bracts
- Foliage color
- Glossy, medium green leaves, often with subtle mottling; foliage forms a low, spreading clump
- Bloom time
- Early to mid spring
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; remove spent flower stems after bloom to maintain appearance; spreads slowly by self-seeding
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Early-season pollinators, including bees and beneficial insects
About this plant
Sanicula epipactis 'Thor' produces distinctive spring blooms defined by broad, variegated bracts rather than traditional petals. Each flower head is encircled by green bracts edged and marbled in creamy white, forming a flat, star-like display. At the center sits a dense, rounded cluster of tiny yellow florets. The foliage beneath is deeply lobed and softly textured, complementing the patterned bracts.
Blooming in mid to late spring, 'Thor' originates from a cultivated selection of the European species Saniculaepipactis. It is well suited to woodland-style plantings, shaded borders, and naturalistic settings, where its graphic flowers read clearly at close range and mingle well with other spring ephemerals.
Works well in
Woodland Gardens · Borders · Pollinator Gardens · Under Trees
Companion plants
Brunneras · Skimmias · Epimedium · Blechnums · Cyclamen · Hellebores
Design tip
Position this distinctive woodland perennial where its patterned bracts can be admired up close along shaded paths or borders. Layer evergreen shrubs, contrasting foliage, and finely textured companions to create depth, visual rhythm, and a refined spring woodland display.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
