Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum) is an easy going, easy-growing Virginia native shade plant that I’ve enjoyed in my garden for a few years now. The stems are about 18 inches long with shield-shaped oval leaves of bright green edged in cream. In early summer, small white flowers bloom and hang down under the stems. Though charming, the flowers are incidental to the graceful, arching stems and leaves.
A happy characteristic of the plant is its longevity. The plants burrow up through the soil in spring and maintain their beautiful greenery well into autumn. These pictures were just taken yesterday and you can see the fall leaves scattered about.
Originally purchased from a Master Gardener plant sale, it took two years to get its feet under it and now is doubling in size each year. Undemanding in nature, all it wants is a shady spot and damp feet. Solomon’s Seal is a wonderful plant to start with if you’re new to natives.
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