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Key characteristics

Family: Brassicaceae
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Width: Similar to height, forming a clump
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Vibrant green
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Partial to full shade
Water: Moist, well-drained soil
Maintenance: Low; regular watering during dry spells, occasional division to control spread
Growing zone: USDA zones 3 to 8
Wildlife: Bees and other pollinators

Groundcovers

Cardamine trifolia

Three-leaf Cardamine

Cardamine trifolia is a delightful perennial plant native to moist woodlands, stream banks, and other damp areas of North America, Europe, and Asia. Growing to about 6-12 inches in height and width, it features deeply lobed, shamrock-like leaves arranged in whorls of three, with vibrant green foliage that brightens shady corners. In late spring to early summer, it produces delicate clusters of small, four-petaled white flowers on slender stalks, attracting bees and other pollinators.

Light

Partial to full shade

Water

Moist, well-drained soil

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Pollinator Gardens
Rain Gardens
Borders
Woodland Gardens

Companion plants

Ferns · Primroses · Trilliums · Virginia bluebells · Marsh marigolds · Japanese forest grasses

Design tip

Allow this woodland groundcover to spread beneath deciduous shrubs where it can knit together open pockets of soil. The continuous carpet creates a seamless transition between larger plants, giving shaded gardens a settled, natural appearance without feeling overly formal.