Fringe cups Tellima grandiflora
Fringe cups (Tellima grandiflora) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Saxifragaceae family, native to Western North America, from Alaska to California. It grows 30–70 cm (12–28 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
Plan Fringe cups in your garden →
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Fringe cups at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Saxifragaceae |
| Mature height | 30–70 cm (12–28 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 5–8 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Western North America, from Alaska to California |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
Is Fringe cups toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Fringe cups
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
Questions about Fringe cups
- How far apart should I plant Fringe cups?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Fringe cups need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fringe cups need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Fringe cups?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Fringe cups flower?
- From about May for 5–8 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fringe cups poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Fringe cups?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fringe cups. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Calflora: information on California plants, Calflora (non-profit database), Berkeley, California
Notes and assumptions
- Hairy, scalloped evergreen leaves that smother weeds in dry shade, and slim spikes of tiny green fringed cups that age pink. Seeds itself under shrubs; it has naturalised in parts of Britain.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Astilbe Astilbe x arendsii
- Coral bells (heuchera) Heuchera americana
- Elephant's ears (bergenia) Bergenia cordifolia
- Encrusted saxifrage Saxifraga paniculata
- Purple saxifrage Saxifraga oppositifolia
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Strawberry begonia (yukinoshita) Saxifraga stolonifera
- Chestnut-leaved rodgersia Rodgersia aesculifolia