Bellwort
Uvularia grandiflora
Last reviewed: September 2026
Uvularia grandiflora, or large-flowered bellwort, is a woodland forb that blooms in April and May with nodding yellow flowers. It grows well in part shade with medium moisture, typical of rich deciduous forest floors.

Toxicity unknown
Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
12"–24" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, CT, GA and 24 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
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Bellwort is a graceful woodland perennial that produces drooping yellow bell-shaped flowers in spring. The arching stems and oval leaves create an elegant, naturalized appearance that works well in shaded garden areas.
Growing Bellwort
Grow Bellwort in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Bellwort is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: foundation, mid zone.
- Goes completely dormant in summer leaving bare spots
- May appear too wild or unstructured for formal landscapes
Wildlife value
The spring blooms attract native bees and beetles for pollination. The plant also provides habitat and cover for small woodland creatures.
Common questions
- When does bellwort bloom?
- Uvularia grandiflora typically flowers in April and May, producing pale yellow, bell-shaped blooms that hang from the tips of arching stems.
- What kind of light does bellwort need?
- This plant does best in part shade, though it also tolerates deeper shade found under a closed woodland canopy.
- How much water does bellwort require?
- Bellwort prefers medium, consistently moist soil similar to conditions found on a forest floor, rather than soggy or very dry ground.
- What pollinates bellwort flowers?
- Bees and beetles are the main visitors to bellwort flowers, drawn to the nodding blooms in early spring.
- What type of plant is bellwort?
- Uvularia grandiflora is a herbaceous perennial forb that dies back to the ground each winter and regrows from rhizomes in spring.
- Is Bellwort HOA-friendly?
- Bellwort is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Bellwort? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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