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Plant of the Week
Variegated Solomon's Seal
Latin: Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'
Shade in the garden is often viewed as a disadvantage, but that is a
short-sighted view because without shade, it would be impossible to grow the
truly beautiful variegated Solomon’s Seal.
This herbaceous perennial grows up to two feet tall with gracefully arching
stems that are produced from the densely branched rhizomatous root system. The
root system has the capacity to form large colonies. The leaves grow up to four
inches long and are bordered with a wide white margin that makes it glow in a
shady site in the garden.
In May, one-inch long drooping white flowers are produced in pairs under the
stem at the juncture of each leaf, creating a delicate, but easily missed,
floral display. The fruits, if they form, are a series of single-seeded
blue-black berries that follow in June. Solomon’s Seals are members of the lily
family, with this species native to Japan.
Variegated Solomon’s Seal is one of the five plants chosen as a 1999 Arkansas
Select plant. The Arkansas Select plants were chosen from the group of plants
nominated by experts across the state such as nurserymen, greenhouse producers
and university and extension personnel. These plants were judged to do well
across the state, to be relatively underused in gardens and to be pest free. All
five Arkansas Select plants will be available from most Arkansas greenhouses and
nurseries this spring at the appropriate planting season.
The name "Solomon’s Seal" is taken from the shape of the scar on the rhizome
where the stem attaches. In some species this scar takes the shape of two
overlapped triangles, which is the symbol King Solomon, ruler of Israel from 961
to 931 BC, took to symbolize the union of body and soul. The plants have been
used for a number of applications in herbal medicine.
Variegated Solomon’s Seal is easily grown in reasonably fertile soil in the
shade garden. Plants benefit from the presence of some organic matter in the
soil.
It also does well on the north side of a house if no shade trees are available.
While quite tolerant of drought once established, the plants should be watered
their first year after planting to ensure good establishment. It makes an
excellent companion plant with Hosta and other shade perennials. Be patient with
this beauty because it may take several years for the colony to form sufficient
size to show the beauty the plant has to provide.
By: Gerald Klingaman, retired
Extension Horticulturist
- Ornamentals
Extension News -
March 26, 1999
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