Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum 'Variegatum'
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Tried and True Recommended by 7 Professionals
Common Name: Solomon's seal
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Ruscaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Garden Location: Bank of America Family Vegetable Garden
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Wet Soil, Drought, Dense Shade
Uses: Erosion Control, Rain Garden, Will Naturalize

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.

Plant of Merit

Striking, parallel-veined, soft green leaves variegated with white tips and margins highlight this rhizomatous, shade-loving perennial that grows 2-3 feet tall. Leaves turn an attractive yellow in fall. Equally ornamental but more hidden are the small, fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers that dangle in pairs underneath arching stems in spring. Blue-black berries ripen in fall. Add this to shaded areas of borders, woodland gardens, wild gardens or naturalized areas.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden 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.

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