Polygonatum (Asparagaceae)
One of the nicest plants for the shady woodland garden. The plant commonly known as Solomon’s Seal is a large genus of plants including almost 70 different species from around the world. Dwarfs, variegated, 6’ tall giants. A rabbit hole that you could probably spend a lifetime trying to sort out.The native Eastern US species is called biflorum. It thrives in rich, cool soil, and with shade to part sun. The plant flowers in late spring with small white flowers that dangle from the stem at the leaf axis. It has a beautiful arching habit that persists through the summer. Over time it creates dense colonies with a wonderful architectural presence. The name Solomon’s Seal comes from the stem scars that form along the root that supposedly resembled the seal of the biblical King Solomon. Not a great common name. The binomial name polygonatum is Latin for many knees. Another reference to the leaf scars, and a much better name!
One of the nicest plants for the shady woodland garden. The plant commonly known as Solomon’s Seal is a large genus of plants including almost 70 different species from around the world. Dwarfs, variegated, 6’ tall giants. A rabbit hole that you could probably spend a lifetime trying to sort out.The native Eastern US species is called biflorum. It thrives in rich, cool soil, and with shade to part sun. The plant flowers in late spring with small white flowers that dangle from the stem at the leaf axis. It has a beautiful arching habit that persists through the summer. Over time it creates dense colonies with a wonderful architectural presence. The name Solomon’s Seal comes from the stem scars that form along the root that supposedly resembled the seal of the biblical King Solomon. Not a great common name. The binomial name polygonatum is Latin for many knees. Another reference to the leaf scars, and a much better name!
One of the nicest plants for the shady woodland garden. The plant commonly known as Solomon’s Seal is a large genus of plants including almost 70 different species from around the world. Dwarfs, variegated, 6’ tall giants. A rabbit hole that you could probably spend a lifetime trying to sort out.The native Eastern US species is called biflorum. It thrives in rich, cool soil, and with shade to part sun. The plant flowers in late spring with small white flowers that dangle from the stem at the leaf axis. It has a beautiful arching habit that persists through the summer. Over time it creates dense colonies with a wonderful architectural presence. The name Solomon’s Seal comes from the stem scars that form along the root that supposedly resembled the seal of the biblical King Solomon. Not a great common name. The binomial name polygonatum is Latin for many knees. Another reference to the leaf scars, and a much better name!