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Polygonatum biflorum (Great Solomon’s Seal)

Great Solomon's Seal, Giant Solomon's Seal Seal Flower, Polygonatum commutatum, Polygonatum canaliculatum, Polygonatum giganteum

Polygonatum commutatum, Great Solomon's Seal, Giant Solomon's Seal Seal Flower, Polygonatum biflorum, Polygonatum canaliculatum, Polygonatum giganteum, shade perennials, wet soil perennials
Polygonatum commutatum, Great Solomon's Seal, Giant Solomon's Seal Seal Flower, Polygonatum biflorum, Polygonatum canaliculatum, Polygonatum giganteum, shade perennials, wet soil perennials
Polygonatum commutatum, Great Solomon's Seal, Giant Solomon's Seal Seal Flower, Polygonatum biflorum, Polygonatum canaliculatum, Polygonatum giganteum, shade perennials, wet soil perennials

Polygonatum biflorum (Great Solomon’s Seal) is a shade-loving, rhizomatous perennial with arching stems boasting small clusters of 3-8 nodding, tubular, yellowish green to whitish green flowers in late spring. Gracefully hanging from the leaf axils, they are followed by ornamentally attractive deep purple berries in the fall. The elegant foliage of oval to oblong, mid-green leaves, turns attractive shades of yellow in the fall. A magnificent shade-loving plant that needs space to be displayed to advantage. Outstanding on the edge of moist woodland areas.

  • Grows up to 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm) and spreads 2 ft. (60 cm). May reach up to 7 ft. in height if happy (210 cm). Slowly spreads by rhizomes to form colonies in optimum growing conditions.
  • Best grown in part shade to full shade in fertile, humus-rich, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Prefers cool sun-dappled shady areas and dislikes hot summer conditions.
  • Perfect for shade gardens and woodland gardens. A great companion plant to other shade lovers including hostas, ferns, and astilbes.
  • Virtually pest-free, disease-free and low maintenance but watch for slugs.
  • Propagate by division in early spring or in the fall.
  • All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested
  • Native to eastern North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Polygonatum
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Tolerance Full Shade, Dry Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Polygonatum multiflorum, Common Solomon’s-seal, David’s-Harp, Ladder-to-Heaven, Eurasian Solomon’s Seal, Lady's Seal, Lady's Signet, Lily of the Mountain, Many-Flowered Solomon's Seal, White Root, shade perennials, wet soil perennials
Polygonatum Odoratum 'Variegatum', Solomon's Seal Variegatum, Polygonatum multiflorum Variegatum, Polygonatum odoratum 'Grace Barker', Polygonatum × hybridum 'Variegatum', Polygonatum × hybridum 'Striatum', shade perennials, wet soil perennialsAward General

Recommended Companion Plants

Hakonechloa Macra Aureola, Hakone Grass 'Aureola', Japanese Forest Grass 'Aureola', Shade grasses, Aureola Grass, part shade grass, full shade grass, Japanese grass, Golden Japanese Forest GrassAGM Award
Primula Beesiana, Primrose, Candelabra Primrose, Candelabra Primula, Bee's Primrose, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soilsAGM Award
Matteuccia Struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern), Ostrich Fern, Ostrich-Feather Fern, Shuttlecock Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soilsAGM Award
Anemone Nemorosa, Wood Anemone, Lady's Nightcap, Moonflower, Nightcaps, Old Woman's Nest, Wind-Flower, Wood Crowfoot, Wood Windflower
Lunaria Annua, Honesty, Silver Dollar, Dollar Plant, Money Plant, Moonwort, Lunaria, Lunaria Biennis, Dried Flowers, Biennial plant, Purple Flower, Seed PodAGM Award
Wood Forget-Me-Not, Garden Forget-Me-Not, Forget-Me-Not, Blue Ground Cover, Shade plants, Shade perennial
Hyacinthoides Hispanica 'Excelsior', Spanish Bluebells 'Excelsior', Wood Hyacinth 'Excelsior', Scilla hispanica 'Excelsior', Scilla Campanulata 'Excelsior', Endymion Hispanicus 'Excelsior', Blue Flowers
Dicentra spectabilis, Bleeding Heart, Lamprocapnos spectabilis, Shade gardens, shady gardens, Pink Flowers, Bleeding Heart, Showy Bleeding heart, Dutchman's Breeches, Chinaman's Breeches, Locks and Keys, Lyre Flower, Seal Flower, Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Lamprocapnos SpectabilisAGM Award
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Polygonatum
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Tolerance Full Shade, Dry Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Not sure which Polygonatum to pick?
Compare Now

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