Splendid Wild Ginger Asarum splendens
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Asarum chingchengense
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-SAR-um SPLEN-denz
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Chinese wild ginger is an evergreen or semi-evergreen, low-growing herbaceous perennial in the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae). It is native to moist forest openings, grasslands and slopes of south-central China. The specific epithet is Latin for “splendid.”
It prefers well-drained neutral to acidic soil that is consistently moist in part shade to full shade. Plant with the crown level to the soil; avoid planting too deep. The plant will grow up to 8 inches tall and fill a 1.5-foot space by producing offsets from an underground rhizome. To avoid winter burn, plant it in a site protected from wind and sun. Propagate by division.
The striking, large, arrow-shaped leaves are dark green with silvery variegation. The unusual brown to purple, bell-shaped flowers grow at ground level.
Use as a ground cover in a shady or woodland garden, a cottage garden, an Asian garden, or a winter garden. Be cautious where you plant it; it spreads and is difficult to eradicate. It is perhaps best confined to a container.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Thrips, slugs, necrotic spot virus, leaf spots, rhizome rot, leaf gall are sometimes a problem.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Silver Streak'
Good silvery variegation. Not spreading.
- 'Silver Streak'
- 'Silver Streak'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Silver Streak'
Good silvery variegation. Not spreading.
- 'Silver Streak'
- 'Silver Streak'
- Tags:
-
-
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
- Herbaceous 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 Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Thick fleshy capsule.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Variegated
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Early spring, interesting, 2-inch, 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 Arrangement:
- Alternate
- 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
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Weedy
