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Native alternative(s) for Polygonatum humile:
Polygonatum biflorum Polygonatum biflorum
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Allium moly Flower form
Campanula carpatica Flowers
x Heucherella Heucherella

Polygonatum humile

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
po-lig-oh-NAY-tum HEW-mil-ee
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Dwarf Solomon's Seal is a low growing herbaceous perennial in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family native to Asia.  It spreads by pencil-sized rhizomes just below the soil surface in a small, low colony.  

Plant it in organically rich moist soils in partial to full shade though it does best with some sun.  In the spring flowers appear in the leaf axils followed by showy blue-black fruits. 

Plant it in the front of borders, in a rock or cottage garden or use it as a ground cover in a woodland garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.  The berries are poisonous if eaten, but they cause low toxicity.  

More information on Polygonatum.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Asian Garden- Zen Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#poisonous fruits#deer resistant#blue fruits#groundcover#rock garden#black fruits#border front#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#poisonous fruits#deer resistant#blue fruits#groundcover#rock garden#black fruits#border front#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Polygonatum
    Species:
    humile
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The shoots can be boiled for 10 minutes and served like asparagus.  Whole shoots can be cut up and put into salads.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Kazakhstan to Japan
    Play Value:
    Shade
    Textural
    Edibility:
    Shoots are edible after boiling.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Blue-black berries hang from the axils.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tubular, bell-shaped 3/4" flowers in spring, borne in leaf axis. Typically one flower per axil, sometimes 2.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate ovate to laceolate 3" long green leaves, with parallel veins
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Upright stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, diarrhea.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Anthraquinone.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits