Chinese Wild Ginger Asarum splendens
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Asarum chingchengense
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-SAIR-um SPLEN-denz
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Chinese wild gingert is an evergreen to herbaceous perennial low-growing plant in the birthwort family (Aristolochiaceae). native to moist forest openings, grasslands, and slopes of south-central China
It prefers well-drained neutral to acidic soil that is consistently moist in part shade to shade. Minimal pruning is needed but can be done in the spring. Plant with the crown level to the soil, avoid planting too deep. Propagate by division. The plant will grow up to 8 inches tall and fill a 1.5-foot space by underground stems. To avoid winter burn, plant it in a site protected from wind and sun.
The large arrow-shaped leaves are green with silvery variegation and the unusual brown to purple jug-shaped flowers grow under the leaves.
Use as a ground cover in a shady or woodland garden. Plant where it can spread, as it is difficult to eradicate.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Thrips, slugs. Necrotic spot virus, leaf spots, rhizome rot, leaf gall.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- 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
- Species:
- splendens
- Family:
- Aristolochiaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Central China
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 5 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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
- 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:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Thick fleshy capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Early spring, interesting 2" tubular flowers appear under the leaves at soil level.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large, thick narrow, dark green elongated heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves, with elegant silver mottling on top.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are underground
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
