Canadian Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-SAIR-um ka-na-DEN-see
- Description
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Canadian wild ginger is a native form of ornamental ginger in the Aristolochiaceae family that spans Canada into the United States.
It has poor drought tolerance which requires high organic matter soil that maintains constant moisture. This plant prefers light to deep shade, and it is often found on rocky acidic soils. It does tolerate drought once established. It spreads slowly by and can be propagated through its fragrant underground rhizomes or through seeds. The tiny brown-purple flowers are hidden under the leaves and not of ornamental value, but they do attract pollinators with their sweet fragrance. They are also capable of self-pollinating.
The handsome foliage and high shade tolerance make it a great choice for a woodland, shade, or rain garden. Plant it as an edging or border plant and will easily naturalize as a deciduous groundcover in your garden. This plant tolerates deer browsing, wet soils, heavy shade, and erosion.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails can be occasional pests.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Shaded Slope Paths & Walkways Native Plant Demonstration Garden All Saints' Episcopal Church
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Asarum
- Species:
- canadense
- Family:
- Aristolochiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Root has a ginger-like scent, and early Americans used it as a ginger substitute but it is not widely used today.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- Manitoba Canada to North Carolina
- Wildlife Value:
- Larval host plant for pipevine swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor). Flies and beetles are pollinators.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer,erosion, wet soil, and heavy shade.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from May to June
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Solitary, bell-shaped flower, often hidden among the fallen leaves; three spreading or recurved, pointed, brownish-purple lobes, flowers in mid-spring April-May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Pair of heart-shaped, basal leathery, dull gray-green, very veined leaves; 3- to 6-in. long; covered with fine hairs
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Erosion
- Heavy Shade
- Wet Soil
