Solomon's seal

Sun

Partial to full shade; morning sun is suitable where the soil stays moist. Protect from hot afternoon sun.

Water

Keep evenly moist while establishing. Established plants tolerate short dry spells, but prolonged drought can make the foliage die back early.

Soil

Humus-rich, well-drained soil that retains moisture; mildly acidic to neutral soil is ideal. Avoid waterlogged ground.

Height

1-3 ft (0.3-0.9 m)

Spread

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m) initially; rhizomes gradually form wider colonies.

Flowers

Late spring to early summer; small, hanging, creamy-white tubular flowers with green tips, usually in pairs beneath the stems.

Foliage

Alternate, oval green leaves with prominent parallel veins, arranged along arching stems; yellow in autumn before dying back.

Growth

Moderate once established, spreading steadily by underground rhizomes.

Care needed

Low

• Water newly planted clumps whenever the top of the soil begins to dry during their first growing season.
• Apply a 2 in (5 cm) layer of leaf mould or compost each spring, keeping emerging shoots uncovered.
• Water established plants during prolonged dry weather to help retain their foliage.
• Avoid routine heavy feeding; an annual compost mulch is usually sufficient.
• Divide dormant clumps if they outgrow their space, and replant divisions promptly.

Pruning. Leave green stems intact after flowering. Cut stems to ground level once they have yellowed and died in autumn, or clear them before new shoots emerge in spring.

Early spring

Remove remaining dead stems before new shoots emerge and apply leaf mould or compost.

Spring

Plant container-grown plants and water them thoroughly; watch emerging shoots for slug damage.

Late spring

Check for sawfly larvae if leaves develop holes or become stripped.

Summer

Water during extended dry spells, especially beneath trees where roots compete for moisture.

Autumn

Divide or move clumps as the foliage dies back, keeping the rhizomes moist during handling.

Late autumn

Cut down dead stems if desired and remove any diseased foliage.

• Plant in loose groups beneath deciduous trees for a layered woodland floor.
• Combine with ferns and hostas so its arching stems contrast with upright fronds and broad leaves.
• Repeat clumps along a shaded path, where the hanging flowers can be seen at close range.
• Grow among spring bulbs to provide foliage after the bulbs finish flowering.

Garden styles it suits: Woodland, English country, Cottage garden, Secret garden and Green on green.

Plant it with: Hostas, Japanese painted fern, Wild ginger, Foamflower, Large-flowered trillium and Siberian bugloss.

Wildlife: The flowers attract bumblebees and other bees able to reach their nectar. Birds may eat the blue-black berries; the foliage also supports some insect larvae.

• Slugs and snails can damage emerging shoots: check after dark, remove pests and use an approved iron-phosphate bait if needed.
• Solomon's seal sawfly can strip leaves, particularly in the UK: inspect leaf undersides in late spring and early summer and remove larvae by hand.
• Waterlogged soil can rot rhizomes: improve drainage or move the plant to a better-drained position.
• Hot sun or drought can scorch leaves and cause early dormancy: provide afternoon shade, mulch and water during prolonged dry spells.

Poisonous if eaten, particularly the berries and rhizomes. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, and larger amounts may cause more serious poisoning. Keep away from children, cats and dogs; horse-specific toxicity information is limited, so do not allow horses to graze it. Seek medical or veterinary advice after ingestion.

• False Solomon's seal (Maianthemum racemosum)

  Its small white flowers form a conspicuous plume at the stem tip, followed by red berries; true Solomon's seal has hanging flowers beneath the leaves and blue-black berries.

• Angular Solomon's seal (Polygonatum odoratum)

  It has distinctly angled stems and usually fragrant flowers. Polygonatum biflorum has smoother, more rounded stems; flower number alone is not a reliable distinction.

The common name refers to the rounded scars on the rhizomes, traditionally compared with the seal of King Solomon, while biflorum means two-flowered.

Propagation. Divide rhizomes in autumn after the foliage dies back or in early spring before growth starts. Give each division a healthy bud and roots, and replant at its previous depth. Seed is slow and may require two winters before germinating.

Accepted botanical name

Polygonatum biflorum

In the US and Canada

Native in Canada and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Kansas.

Measured

Average height 70 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.