Clintonia udensis aka Common Bluebead Lily

Clintonia udensis is a perennial in the lily family, Liliaceae. Its native range stretches from the Himalaya to Russia’s Far East. It also reaches northern and north-central Japan. Records include China, Korea, Bhutan, Nepal, India and Myanmar. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The RHS lists Clintonia alpina as a synonym. This species grows in temperate regions across its broad Asian range.

Plants reach about 1 foot (0.3 metres) tall. They spread to about 2 feet (0.6 metres) wide. In the wild, they grow in birch woods and alpine scrub. They also occur in open woods and high mountain forests. Reported sites lie at 5,250–13,120 feet (1,600–4,000 metres). Its low size suits the shaded parts of a woodland garden. PFAF also lists it for shaded edges and dappled light.

Flowers appear from July to August, according to PFAF. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects carry pollen between the flowers. In Britain, plants form fruit only when the season is warm. Fruit production there may therefore vary from year to year. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 3–7 for this species. Dormant plants can withstand at least −25°C. New spring growth remains at risk from late frost. Winter hardiness does not remove that risk to fresh growth.

Choose a cool, shaded site where the soil stays moist. PFAF favours sandy soil with peat and steady moisture. It also lists loam as suitable for cultivation. Soil may range from strongly acid to neutral. Its account allows both full shade and partial shade. Its garden notes favour dappled shade or a shaded edge. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame once it ripens. Stored seed can be sown in late winter or early spring. Remove all fruit flesh and cover the seed lightly. Germination may take one to three months, or a year.

Young leaves and shoots have a recorded food use. Cook them as a vegetable, rather than treating all parts as edible. PFAF gives the plant an edibility score of two out of five. It records no known hazards, but this is not proof of safety. The same source lists no known medicinal or other uses. It also reports no weed potential.