Solomon’s Seal is a great perennial for the shade garden. The Solomon’s Seal plant has lovely, arching stems with white, bell-shaped blossoms that dangle below the foliage in April through June.
There is a dwarf version that is 6-8 inches high as well as tall one that is over six feet high. The common garden variety is between one to three feet tall. There is a solid green version as well as many variegated ones. The solid green true Solomon’s Seal and False Solomon’s seal are native to the US, and some of the variegated ones are native as well.
They are hardy to USDA Zones 3 to 8. They spread by underground rhizome, so give them space to spread when you plant them. They prefer moist, well-draining soil that is amended with organic compost. They are easily divided and moved around by digging out a root section in spring or fall.
True Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum spp.) is not to be confused with the False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum formerly Smilacena racemosa). The easy way to tell the difference is the true Solomon’s Seal carries its flowers underneath of the leaves, while the false version has the flowers emerging at the tip of the leaves. Also, the fruits of true Solomon's Seal are dark blue and the false one has red fruits.
Solomon’s Seal combine well in the woodland garden with ferns and hostas. They also make a good groundcover and understory plant beneath shrubs and trees.
Solomon’s Seal - You Can Grow That!
The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.
Visuals and Audio by Kathy Jentz
Edited by Amanda Cash
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