Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) 

Goldenseal: Hydrastis canadensis, which most gardeners simply call goldenseal, is a North American native species that you'd find in nature in the shady forests of the cool to moderate growing zones.

Other names that identify this same species are:

• Eye-balm
• Golden root
• Eye root
• Orangeroot
• Jaundice root
• Yellow puccoon
• Indian plant (paying homage to its use in Indigenous folklore)

Gardeners prize goldenseal for decorative use in a container garden, shade gardens, and--because it stays under foot high--as a ground cover plant. 

Goldenseal Flourishes in the Shade 

As a forest native, goldenseal performs best in partial shade to shady conditions.

Besides adequate shade, it prefers loosened soil that contains wood matter--think hardwood mulch, shredded leaves, or even peat moss. Gardeners layer these organic materials over goldenseal plants before the snow flies in the coldest growing zones.

Once you recreate those forest growing conditions, goldenseal is easy to care for, requiring no fertilizer or additional care--save for a drink of water during an extended drought.

It resists disease, molds, and mildew and will form colonies that fill your shady area if you enrich the soil and give it adequate water. 

Goldenseal attracts birds, bees, and other pollinating insects and squirrels who eagerly snack on its tiny fruits. 

Goldenseal Is a Petite Beauty 

Goldenseal is a smaller plant, topping out at around twelve inches high and wide.

The stem and leaves emerge from a robust root system. The leaves are a beautiful citrine green, three- to seven-lobed, and form in pairs atop the stem. They produce solitary, tiny white flowers in the late spring.

The flowers make way for the tiny bright red berries attracting birds and squirrels into your garden for a treat. Some gardeners deliberately plant goldenseal away from a vegetable garden to lure these creatures to a more appropriate snack. 

Order Your Goldenseal Plant From TN Nursery Today 

For a smaller shade plant that will attract birds and squirrels to entertain you, TN Nursery suggests goldenseal. Place your order today.