Melanthium virginicum.
Bunch Flower is a perennial wildflower native to several regions of the eastern United States where it can often be found growing in swamps, marshes, fens, and bogs.
Plant grows to around 5 feet in height and produces large clusters of fragrant flowers that bloom from June through August. The flowers start out white in color, but as the season progresses they will turn green to burgundy to black.
Attracts numerous species of bees and butterflies.
Bunch Flower
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9 Light Requirement: Full to partial sun Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, clay Sow Depth: Surface Plant Spacing: 12 to 24 feet Germination Note: Cold stratification required Stratification Time: 30 days Bloom Time: June through August Growing Tips
Direct sow in late fall by lightly pressing the seeds into the soil's surface. To start indoors, mix seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30 days (cold stratification) before sowing in a flat. Keep the soil moist until germination, which is very slow and can take from 3 to 12 months.
A Note on Cold Stratification
These seeds require cold, moist stratification. To naturally stratify the seeds, plant outdoors late fall on a weed-free site and allow seeds to overwinter.
To artificially stratify the seeds, place the seeds and a moist medium (such as a damp paper towel, coffee filter, sand, or vermiculite) in a labeled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator (33-40°F) for the amount of time noted on the growth chart before sowing.