Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Bigflower Tellima (Tellima grandiflora) is a native perennial herb in the Saxifagiaceae (Saxifrage) family that grows in central and northern California, from Santa Cruz northward. It is found in the Coast Ranges and northern Sierras. It tends to grow in the moist shade of evergreen forest at elevations from sea level to 5,000 feet. The basal leaves resemble Heuchera and other plants in the same family. The leaves and inflorescence are somewhat hairy. The spike-like raceme carries numerous red, pink or white flowers that are small and ephemeral but very attractive. It would be a good addition to the understory of a woodland garden.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 3 ft Tall
2 ft Wide

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Winter Semi-deciduous, Evergreen

Fragrance

Slight

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Color

Pink, Red, White

Flowering season

Spring, Summer

Special uses

Groundcover, Deer resistant

Sun

Deep Shade, Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / week once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 10° F

Soil drainage

Medium

Soil description

Forest soil with high organic content.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 7.0

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Sunset Zones

2, 3, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Site type

Most often found in the damp shade of evergreen forest in northern California

Plant communities

Mixed Evergreen Forest, Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Use under trees such as Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Firs (Abies spp.), Maples (Acer spp.), Pines (Pinus spp.), Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica), Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla or sempervirens), and Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus), along with other shade-loving and moisture loving plants such as native ferns, Elk's Clover (Aralia californica), Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum), Columbine (Aquilegia formosa), Chinese Houses (Collinsia heterophylla), Larkspur (Delphinium spp.), Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa), Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), and Tiger Lily (Lilium pardalinum)