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- New leaves emerging in spring
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- Mature foliage
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- Seeds forming
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- Green, unripe seeds formed
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- Tiny native bees pollinate the flowers
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- Ripe fruit
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- Fall foliage
Scientific Name:
Polygonatum biflorum
Common Name:
Solomon's Seal
Scientific Name Pronounciation:
po-lig-oh-NAY-tum by-FLOR-um
Plant Type:
Perennial
Plant Hardiness Zones:
3-9
Plant Hardiness Zone(s):
Usual Size:
1-3 ft. H X 1-1.5 ft. W
Flower:
Greenish-yellowish-white, bell-like flowers dangle from the leaf axils along the length of the arching stem in clusters of 2 to 4 flowers.
Bloom Time Notes:
Late spring
Leaf:
Two rows of smooth, alternate, oval to elliptic, prominently veined leaves; lime green on top, whitish underneath.
Fruit:
Pea-sized, dark, steely blue berries in fall.
Wildlife:
Wildlife eat the fruit.
Natural Habitat:
Moist shady woods.
Propagation:
Divide rhizomes either in early spring, or in fall as leaves begin to yellow; to propagate by seed, collect berries when blue-black and extract white seeds.
Bloom Time:
Sun or Shade:
Companion Plants:
Cultural Notes:
Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) grows in partial to full shade; average, medium-wet to wet, well-drained soil; prefers humusy soils; spreads slowly by rhizomes to form colonies if happy.
Foliage stays green all summer; graceful arching leafy stem is very decorative; wonderful as a specimen or when massed in the woodland or shade garden; age of the plant can be determined by counting the scars along the rhizome.
Note: The variegated form often used in gardens is not a native species.
Other Common Names: Smooth Solomon's Seal, Lady's Seal