Hapeman’s Coolwort: A Rare Native Gem Worth Protecting
If you’re the type of gardener who gets excited about growing something truly special—something your neighbors have probably never heard of—then Hapeman’s coolwort might just be your next obsession. This little-known native perennial is one of those plants that makes you feel like you’re part of an exclusive club when you successfully grow it.
What Exactly Is Hapeman’s Coolwort?
Scientifically known as Sullivantia hapemanii, Hapeman’s coolwort is a native perennial forb that calls the American West home. As a forb, it’s essentially a non-woody plant that comes back year after year—think of it as an herbaceous perennial that never develops a woody stem like shrubs or trees do.
This plant belongs to a pretty exclusive club. It’s native to just four western states: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. If you’re gardening anywhere else, you’re unfortunately out of luck with this particular species, but there are likely other cool native options in your area!
The Rarity Factor: Handle with Care
Here’s where things get serious for a moment. Hapeman’s coolwort has a Global Conservation Status of S3, which means it’s considered vulnerable. With typically only 21 to 100 known occurrences and somewhere between 3,000 to 10,000 individuals in the wild, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill garden center plant.
If you’re interested in growing this plant, please only source it from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate it responsibly. Wild collection of rare plants like this one can seriously harm already vulnerable populations.
Where Does It Like to Live?
Hapeman’s coolwort is basically a water baby—it’s what we call a wetland plant. Depending on where you are in its range, it has different relationships with water:
- In the Arid West and Great Plains: It’s facultatively wetland, meaning it usually hangs out in wet spots but can tolerate drier conditions
- In the Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast: It’s obligate wetland, which means it almost always needs wet feet
Should You Grow Hapeman’s Coolwort?
The short answer is: maybe, but only if you can do it right. Here’s the deal:
Reasons to consider it:
- You’re supporting the conservation of a rare native species
- You have the right wet or boggy conditions in your garden
- You love the idea of growing something truly unique
- You’re in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, or Wyoming where it naturally occurs
Reasons to think twice:
- Your garden tends to be on the dry side
- You can’t find responsibly sourced plants
- You’re looking for something low-maintenance (rare plants often need extra TLC)
- You’re outside its native range
Growing Hapeman’s Coolwort Successfully
Since this plant is naturally found in wetland environments, your success will largely depend on mimicking those conditions. Think of spots in your garden that stay consistently moist—maybe near a downspout, in a low-lying area, or around a water feature.
The plant’s wetland status gives us our biggest clue about its needs: it wants reliable moisture. This makes it potentially perfect for rain gardens, bog gardens, or naturalized wetland areas on your property.
The Bottom Line
Hapeman’s coolwort isn’t for every gardener or every garden, but for the right person in the right place, it could be a meaningful addition to a native plant collection. The key is approaching it with respect for its rarity and commitment to responsible growing practices.
If you can’t find or grow Hapeman’s coolwort, don’t despair! Every region has its own special native plants that need our support. Check with your local native plant society or extension office to discover the rare gems in your own backyard—you might find something even more exciting that’s perfectly suited to your specific location and growing conditions.
