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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
Common names Solomon's Seal
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 United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Delaware, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Southwest, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, West Virginia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, 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 humile (Dwarf Solomon’s Seal)
Polygonatum multiflorum (Common Solomon’s Seal)
Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Solomon’s Seal)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)
Primula beesiana (Candelabra Primrose)
Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)
Anemone nemorosa (Wood Anemone)
Lunaria annua (Honesty)
Myosotis sylvatica (Wood Forget-Me-Not)
Hyacinthoides hispanica ‘Excelsior’ (Spanish Bluebells)
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

30 Great Perennials for Shade
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
Common names Solomon's Seal
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 United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Delaware, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Southwest, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, West Virginia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming
Tolerance Full Shade, Dry Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal) to pick?
Compare Now

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