Asarum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-SAIR-um
- Description
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The beauty of wild ginger lies in its heart-shaped leaves, which in some species are dark green, shiny, and mottled with cream. The flowers are small, jug-shaped, lie on the ground and are pollinated by ants and ground beetles. Prefers moist, rich soils and does well in shade. They struggle a bit in the hot humid weather of the south. Divide plants in the spring. Leaves and roots smell like ginger when crushed but this plant is unrelated to culinary ginger.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Slugs and snails can damage foliage. Rust can sometimes cause issues.
Additional Asarum Images at Juniper Level Botanic Garden
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Native Woodland Garden, Durham Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Asarum
- Family:
- Aristolochiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern Hemisphere
- Distribution:
- Northern Hemisphere
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Eearly spring purplish-brown, hairy, jug-like flowers appear at the soil line under the leaves.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gray/Silver
- Variegated
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Paired, heart-shaped leaves with various forms of variegation.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
