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Porteranthus is one of those understated, refined, easy-to-grow-anywhere kind of plants. It is astonishing to me that it is not found easily in commercial retail trade.
Native Americans used this plant for emetic, sudorific and laxative capabilities in healing. Hence, the common name “Indian Physic.” It was one of the first curative plants shared with early colonists. Porteranthus is native to the Eastern and Northeastern states and is hardy in zones 4 to 8, which means it can be grown in most of the country. It is amazingly versatile and can be grown in sun or light shade, in dry or moist conditions. Being deer resistant does add to its charms, but more important, I have yet to see any kind of pest or disease disfigure this perennial.
Porteranthus is a loose, vertically growing plant that is up to 3 feet tall, with an equal top of plant spread. It is fine textured and has a medium growth rate.
Overall, the plant lends a garden an enchanting vision of informal, airy lightness. It might be likened to huge “Baby’s Breath” when in bloom. It is covered in late spring with delicate star-like white flowers, with five narrow, pointed petals. The whole blossom is about the size of a quarter. (There is also a pink variety called “Pink Profusion.”)
The flowers dangle off of little red petioles, which in turn veer off of bright mahogany stems. This makes for pretty and unusual cut flowers that last a week or more in a vase. Even as the flower petals drop away, the peduncles are quite decorative.
The stems are long, fine and rigid, good for floral design work as well as solid stands in the garden. The clean, narrow, toothed, medium green leaves cling the full length of the stem. The flowers can repeat in late summer, with care to the needs of water and food.
This would all be fine and dandy in and of itself, but there is more. The foliage turns deep, brilliant bronzy red in the fall. It is an unbelievable color. There is nothing quite like it in the garden. I prefer to see this plant en masse, as this is an amazing show in all seasons. Porteranthus has interesting seed heads that persist into winter. Again, these are lovely to design with as cut flowers. For me, any plant that can hold its own with the garden as well as the vase, is a plant to be cherished.
The seeds can be collected and sprouted fresh (usually they sprout in only three weeks) in the fall and transplanted right away into flats nestled into cold frames for the winter. Or you can let the seeds drop and the seedlings will surely come along at the base of the plant for transplanting. This is my preferred way of getting more plants. Let Nature do the work.
The roots develop well over the winter and plantlets can then be transplanted into moderately acidic ground the following spring. It takes about three years for the plant to fully mature.
While they can be divided, the hard woody crown can be rather difficult to cope with. In early spring, a keen shovel and sharp knife can be used to split the lifted crown in half and then that can be spliced into smaller pieces. This will yield a faster mature planting, if necessary.
This plant is grown abundantly in Europe and is sold to enthusiastic knowledgeable gardeners there. Leave it to Europe to bring Native American plant use forward. Most every garden that I have designed and planted includes this plant.
Once this fine native finds a home in a garden, it need never be divided. It is a stalwart soldier that will stay put and look tidy at all times. It will stand throughout the summer with nary a complaint. It will change character and look wonderful the entire growing season.
I can’t think of any other plant that offers all that this plant has to offer, and yet it is uncommonly seen in the American landscape.
Liz Krieg is a longtime horticulturist. She lives in Bethel.