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Asarum

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ah-SAIR-um
Description

The beauty of wild ginger lies in its heart-shaped leaves, which in some species are dark green, shiny, and mottled with cream. The flowers are small, jug-shaped, lie on the ground and are pollinated by ants and ground beetles. Prefers moist, rich soils and does well in shade.  They struggle a bit in the hot humid weather of the south. Divide plants in the spring. Leaves and roots smell like ginger when crushed but this plant is unrelated to culinary ginger.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Slugs and snails can damage foliage. Rust can sometimes cause issues.

Additional Asarum Images at Juniper Level Botanic Garden

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Native Woodland Garden, Durham Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#semi-evergreen#brown#fragrant leaves#shade garden#winter interest#NC native#groundcover#fragrant roots#naturalizes#rock garden#spring interest#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildflower#collier preserve tn#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#semi-evergreen#brown#fragrant leaves#shade garden#winter interest#NC native#groundcover#fragrant roots#naturalizes#rock garden#spring interest#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildflower#collier preserve tn#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Asarum
    Family:
    Aristolochiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern Hemisphere
    Distribution:
    Northern Hemisphere
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    Eearly spring purplish-brown, hairy, jug-like flowers appear at the soil line under the leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gray/Silver
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Paired, heart-shaped leaves with various forms of variegation.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade