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Solomon's Seal, Small

Herbaceous Perennial Flower, Wildflower

Polygonatum biflorum
Liliaceae Family

This shade-loving native perennial is grown mainly for its arching form, ribbed foliage, rows of small, bell-like, white flowers and blue-black fruit.

	Site and Plant Characteristics
	Growing Information
	Varieties

Site Characteristics

Sunlight:

full shade

Soil conditions:

tolerates droughty soil
tolerates damp soil

Prefers cool, moist soil. Tolerates droughty soil under trees once established.

Hardiness zones:

3 to 8

Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 1 to 3 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Rhizomes spread to form colonies of plants.

Bloom time: late spring

Flower color: other

Greenish-white.

Foliage color:

medium green
dark green
variegated

'Variegatum' has variegated leaves.

Foliage texture: medium

Rows of ribbed 3-4" leaves.

Shape: herbaceous: other

Stems are gracefully arching.

Shape in flower: same as above

Flowers are small bells that hang beneath the foliage.

Special Considerations

Special characteristics:

deer resistant
non-aggressive
non-invasive
native to North America - Eastern North America
bears ornamental fruit - Berries are bluish-black and last into fall.

Growing Information

How to plant:

Propagate by seed, division or separation - Division is easiest method. Divide in spring. Make sure several each division has several growing points. Seeds need stratification (cold treatment) to germinate.

Maintenance and care:

Mulch to keep the soil cooler in the summer months. Seldom needs division. Divide in spring.
More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Varieties

'Variegatum' has variegated foliage which is attractive in flower arrangements.