Sarracenia leucophylla, also known as the white-top pitcher plant, has a ruffled hood beautifully patterned with red veins against a brilliant white complexion, giving way to red and green further down the trap. The cultivar 'Tarnok' is unique among Sarracenia, bearing fantastic flowers with whorls of overlapping sepals - like little red pinecones!
Native to the narrow coastal regions of Alabama, 'Tarnok' is especially cold-hardy here in Oregon, unfazed by winter freezes. It is a fast and robust grower, gradually forming dense masses of growth points which make for a breath-taking display. Thanks to its especially showy traps, it's also a fantastic bug catcher, regularly consuming ungodly quantities of flies and hornets.
Plants You Receive
Plants are shipped in 4-inch pots with proper growing media. Each plant is a division from select mother plants in our collection. Pitchers are expected to reach 12 inches during their first season after division.
All cold hardy plants are grown outdoors at our nursery in Oregon and experience the changes of the seasons. Care instructions are provided.
Please watch the
monthly video for examples of how your plant may look at this time of the year and important growing tips for the season.
Type of Plant
Cold hardy perennial for outdoor growing.
Size of Adult Plants
12-16 inches tall.
Sunlight
Full sun, 6 or more hours of direct sunlight.
Water
Use mineral-free water or water low in minerals (less than 50 parts per million). Keep the soil wet by setting the plant in a dish of standing water.
Soil
Use 1 part peat moss and 1 part perlite (or washed river sand). Avoid fertilizers, regular garden soil, and compost.
Growing Season
April - October. Pitchers will brown at the onset of winter dormancy.
Winter Care
Hardy of winter frost. Mulch in USDA zones 7 and colder.