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Wild Ginger Asarum arifolium

Previously known as:

  • A. grandiflorum
  • Hexastylis arifolia
Phonetic Spelling
12526361493
Description

Native to the southeastern US, Heart-leaf Ginger is an evergreen perennial in the Aristolochiaceae family that can be found growing in dry woodland settings. In your garden, plant along a shady edge. Dappled shade is an ideal setting for this plant, it does not do well in deep shade. When conditions are right, it will self sow. Don't allow the plant to dry out in between watering. 

The foliage is evergreen and when exposed to cold weather, they may take on a purple hue. 

Heart-leaf ginger is clump-forming. Its jug-shaped flowers are hidden under the speckled leaves.

The aromatic roots have an aroma similar to a mixture of pepper and ginger.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Snails and slugs are occasional visitors.  Although not considered to be toxic, the foliage of other members of this genus is reported to be toxic. Caution should be used.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Green Valentine'
    Green foliage with lighter green markings.
'Green Valentine'
Tags:
#evergreen#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#shade garden#winter interest#rabbit resistant#herbaceous#mat#deer resistant#groundcover#fragrant roots#food source summer#evergreen groundcover#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#compact habit#winter color purple#winter garden#HS302#Audubon#dry soils intolerant#compact#mat forming#th-smell#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Green Valentine'
    Green foliage with lighter green markings.
'Green Valentine'
Tags:
#evergreen#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#shade garden#winter interest#rabbit resistant#herbaceous#mat#deer resistant#groundcover#fragrant roots#food source summer#evergreen groundcover#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#compact habit#winter color purple#winter garden#HS302#Audubon#dry soils intolerant#compact#mat forming#th-smell#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Asarum
    Species:
    arifolium
    Family:
    Aristolochiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Groundcover
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern United States
    Wildlife Value:
    Pollination is done by ants and flies.
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Shade
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Horizontal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from May to July
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The jug shaped flowers bloom from March to June. They grow at the base of the plant and are hidden by the leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Evergreen leaves are heart shaped deep blue-green with entire margins and a silvery pattering.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat
    Rabbits