Description

A very hardy shade loving plant with gracefully arching stems with pendant white and green tipped bell shaped flowers. The waxy, cylindrical flowers hang in loose racemes from one side of the stem appearing in late spring. It is best suited to temperate/cool climatic locations.

Solomon’s Seal is popular not only for its nearly hidden flowers but also for its architecturally beautiful stems and foliage which grows up 1metre high. It is an easily grown clump perennial, producing thick fleshy rhizomes, which run just below the surface of the soil. The plant is dormant in winter.

Cultivation

Solomon’s Seal grows at its best in established clumps under large trees, preferring semi shade to full shade, where the clean soft green foliage and white flowers produce a delightfully cool effect. These plants are not suited to container growing due to their need for a cool root run. The soil can be either side of a neutral ph without ill effect but should be high in organic matter.

Plant the rhizomes 8 to 12 cm under the soil surface and space them 30 to 50cm apart. Provide ample moisture during spring and summer for young plants, however once established they can tolerate some drying in late summer. In organic rich soils, no fertilizer is needed. These plants have no specific pest or disease issues.