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Bull's Kittentails

Synthyris bullii

Last reviewed: June 2026

Bull's Kittentails (Synthyris bullii)
Photo: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3: 198. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

4"–8" H × 3"–6" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

OH

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Synthyris bullii is a small native wildflower that forms neat, compact clumps with heart-shaped leaves and delicate spikes of tiny blue or purple flowers in spring. This diminutive perennial goes dormant in summer, disappearing until the following spring when it emerges as one of the earliest native bloomers.

In an HOA neighborhood

Bull's Kittentails takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Completely disappears in summer leaving bare spots
  • Very small size makes it look sparse in formal settings
  • Unfamiliar appearance may be seen as weedy

Wildlife value

The early spring flowers provide valuable nectar for native bees and early butterflies when few other food sources are available.

Common questions

How much sun does Bull's Kittentails need?
Bull's Kittentails grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Bull's Kittentails bloom?
Bull's Kittentails blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Bull's Kittentails native?
Bull's Kittentails (Synthyris bullii) is native to OH, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Bull's Kittentails attract?
Bull's Kittentails draws bees and butterflies.
Is Bull's Kittentails HOA-friendly?
Bull's Kittentails takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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