About
A graceful Solomon's seal forming large colonies from creeping rhizomes, with arching stems to 2m bearing paired, broadly ovate, mid-green leaves and pendent clusters of small, green-tipped, white, tubular flowers in late spring, followed by dark blue-black berries. A bold and ornamental perennial for a shaded, moist, woodland border.
About the genus
Polygonatum are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with erect or arching stems bearing glossy, elliptic leaves and pendent, tubular or bell-shaped flowers, sometimes followed by black or red berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and and other protective equipment when handling 23178,polygonatum-viviparum,Polygonatum viviparum,,A curious rhizomatous perennial related to Solomon's seal from Himalayan and Yunnan habitats with arching stems
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, partial shade or full shade
PruningCut down to ground level in late autumn
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and Solomon's seal sawfly
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free