General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Prefers moist, humusy soils. Slowly spreads by rhizomes to form colonies in optimum growing conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
This Solomon's seal cultivar is a rhizomatous, upright, arching perennial which typically grows in a mound to 1-2' tall on unbranched, angular stems. Pairs of small, bell-shaped, white flowers on short pedicels dangle in spring from the leaf axils along and underneath the arching stems. Flowers are sweetly fragrant. Young stems are tinged with maroon. Flowers are followed by blue-black berries in autumn. Ovate, conspicuously parallel-veined, variegated leaves (to 4" long) are soft green with white tips and margins. Leaves turn an attractive yellow in autumn. The common name is usually considered to be in reference to the large, circular seals (leaf stalk scars) located on the rhizomes. However, Edgar Denison suggests that the name actually refers to purported "wound sealing properties" of the polygonatums. Variegated foliage is attractive in flower arrangements even if stems are not in flower.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses:
Best in woodland gardens, wild gardens or naturalized areas. May be used in partially shaded borders or rock gardens. Creamy white foliage variegation can be striking in shady areas. Good with astilbe and ferns.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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