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Wild Ginger Asarum virginicum

Previously known as:

  • Asarum grandiflorum
  • Asarum memmingeri
  • Asarum virginianum
  • Heterotropa virginica
  • Hexastylis virginica
Phonetic Spelling
ah-SAIR-um ver-JIN-ih-kum
Description

Little Brown Jugs is a native herbaceous perennial in the Birthwort family. It occurs in rich hardwood forests, on ravine slopes, and along streams. It is an evergreen perennial with a slender creeping rhizome. It prefers moist, organic-rich, acidic soil in full or partial shade. The mottled leaves are the main ornamental feature of this plant. The unusual flowers are usually hidden under the leaves.

This diminutive groundcover forms a low mat and adds interest to a woodland garden, or shaded rock garden. Because it is a small plant, planting it in groups gives it more impact. In a bed or border, it needs to be placed up front where it will not compete with taller plants. It can be used along trails, in rock gardens, as a low border, and planted around the bases of trees.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#small spaces#purple flowers#slow growing#shade garden#fall interest#interesting leaves#NC native#ornamentals#rock garden#native groundcover#NC Native Pollinator Plant#small group plantings#mottled leaves#spotted leaves#heart-shaped leaves#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#small spaces#purple flowers#slow growing#shade garden#fall interest#interesting leaves#NC native#ornamentals#rock garden#native groundcover#NC Native Pollinator Plant#small group plantings#mottled leaves#spotted leaves#heart-shaped leaves#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Asarum
    Species:
    virginicum
    Family:
    Aristolochiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    In Cherokee Nation traditions of the plant was taken to aid the digestive system. The roots are traditionally used in a hot infusion to help eliminate mucus from the lungs.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern North America
    Distribution:
    NC, WV, Va, SC, Tenn., FL, KY
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Native Plant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fleshy capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Urn
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2-in., dark purple to crimson bronze-brown flowers from early spring to early summer. They have no petals and consist of a leathery calyx with 3 spreading lobes. They can be hard to see as they are often hidden under the leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3-inch, heart-shaped stiff leaves appear single, paired or in groups of three and are often mottled with light and dark green
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Pollinators