April 27, 2016

Plant of the Month: Smooth Solomon's Seal

blooms
Polygonatum biflorum

After roughly 66 months of writing "plant of the month" posts (I skipped a few since October 2010), I was surprised to discover I hadn't featured Smooth Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum). This is one of the most reliable, shade-loving, native wildflower plants in my garden. I didn't plant any of them, but they cheerfully nod throughout the garden and woodland every growing season.

false
Maianthemum racemosum

My post today is about Smooth Solomon's Seal, not its closely related "cousin" False Solomon Seal (Maianthemum racemosum), also called Solomon's Plume, which also grows in my woodland. (Also an excellent plant!) The two plants look very similar, but have slightly different growth patterns and very distinct blooms.

new

When Smooth Solomon's Seal emerges (as it is now in my garden), it begins as a straight shoot with a green tip, and slowly bends as its leaves unfurl.

flowers

The individual flowers hang like miniature bells under the stems and foliage.

mature blooms

As the blooms mature, their stripes and yellow-green hues gently blend with the plant's foliage.

foliage

Even after blooming, the stems and foliage add great structure to cut arrangements.

ferns

Smooth Solomon's Seal plays well with ferns ...

daylilies

And daylilies ...

bleeding heart

And Hosta species and Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis).

Smooth Solomon's Seal, notes the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center:

  • Prefers shade or partial shade;
  • Will tolerate sand to clay and dry to moist, acidic soils;
  • Attracts birds and butterflies;
  • Is native throughout much of North America (USDA zones 3 to 9); and
  • Provides food for mammals (roots) and birds (berries).

This plant regularly self-seeds and gently spreads throughout my garden, but I'm usually very pleased with where it lands, since it blends so well with other plants.

berries

Plus, in late summer and early autumn its dark blue berries are striking (if the birds don't get them first)!

I'm linking this post to Gail's Wildflower Wednesday at Clay and Limestone and Diana's Dozens for Diana at Elephant's Eye on False Bay. Visit their blogs to read about excellent plants growing around the world.

63 comments:

  1. Interesting you describe the Solomon's seal on your blog, a common but valuable plant for the shade. I also have them in my garden together with hostas, ferns and so on but they hardly spread themselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They seem to pop up in unexpected places here--some years more than others, probably because of the weather and other conditions. Often, I look and think, hmmmm...maybe I should move that, and then it seems to work in the new spot. :)

      Delete
  2. Thanks for featuring Polygonatum with great photos. I always struggle to remember the differences between it and Streptopus (twisted stalk), mainly because neither is common here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome. I've heard of Twisted Stalk, but I'm not familiar with it. My understanding is that it's more common out East and in Canada? The foliage does look very similar to Polygonatum.

      Delete
    2. I don't know overall range, but twisted stalk occurs in much of Wyoming, in mountains where there's more water. It's not so common in our Laramie Mountains which are drier. But I've seen it a few places, along well-shaded streams if I remember right.

      Delete
  3. I love mine, with Oxalis at its feet and surrounded by sword ferns. Must remember to check for berries...I've never noticed them. That close-up showing the green stripes is a fantastic shot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds lovely, Ricki. The berries are attractive, but the birds often get them before I notice them. Thanks. :)

      Delete
  4. This is a really good post for me to read. I'm new at woodland gardening and learning so much! You are right....Solomon's Seal goes well with everything.....I planted some last year and hope it comes back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sally: Woodland gardening can be a little challenging. The native plants are a good bet. I hope your Solomon's Seal comes back, too!

      Delete
  5. I love this plant! My variegated Solomon Seal didn't last long, I don't know why, but the green one is doing great.
    You have some wonderful combinations there; I love the one with ferns a lot! Thank you Beth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tatyana. Yes, I do remember some of your posts/photos that included Solomon's Seal. I've never had the variegated version, but it's pretty, too.

      Delete
  6. It's a beautiful plant that tolerates dry shade nicely in my garden. It's a favorite!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it performs well in the dry shade areas of my garden, too. I think I take it for granted a little too much, but it's definitely a reliable, graceful stalwart. :)

      Delete
  7. A must have for any shade garden. I find volunteers in our woods and shade garden. I love them. I've never thought of cutting them for a vase but that is a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that's my experience, too, Karin. The stems are very sturdy for cut arrangements, and the leaves stay green in the vase for quite a while.

      Delete
  8. Oh how delicately beautiful are the bells!

    Is it related to bleeding heart? Both with dangling blooms, a little like the way freesias bloom UP.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They do have similar forms, but the common Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos) is in the Papaveraceae family, while this Solomon's Seal is in the Asparagaceae family. I agree--bell-shaped flowers are so appealing. :)

      Delete
  9. I have the variegated one and love everything about it - both are fabulous in dry shade and can handle just about anything you throw at them and still look so elegantly beautiful. Nice to see them with the "socks on the line" as my husband calls Bleeding Heart!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Socks on the line" -- I like that. I'll never think of Bleeding Heart the same way now. ;-) Solomon's Seal is one of those plants in my garden that's so prolific and reliable that I don't worry about it coming back year after year.

      Delete
  10. Very nice pictures Beth, and such a reliable plant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Alain. Yes, it's definitely reliable and a stalwart in the garden. :)

      Delete
  11. A very useful plant in the garden - its grows here in my shady bed but is only just poking it's nose up from beneath the soil right now. They are with Hostas and Ferns. I originally planted them to hang over the pond and what a lovely effect their reflection made but since getting rid of the pond, no not a pond more a puddle really, I still enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that's a good idea to have some hanging over the pond! I might have to borrow that idea. Thanks! They do look great paired with Hostas and Ferns!

      Delete
  12. I have a mini variety of this plant and each year always have to go and look for it in the garden. It arrives at different times depending on our winter. It is such an architectural plant, very graceful and interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, definitely an architectural plant--both in the garden and as an element in cut arrangements. The ones in my garden have temporarily halted growth since we're having a cool spell. Once the warmth hits again, I'm sure they'll really take off fast.

      Delete
  13. What a lovely plant - and so versatile too! Not many plants would do well in both dry and shady conditions - it's one to keep in mind once we clear the buckthorn from our wooded area.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, this would be a great choice for your wooded area post-Buckthorn. The nice thing about it is that it's tall, so it can compete with some of the medium-height and tallish invasives.

      Delete
  14. I think it's such an elegant plant. It makes a great combination with bleeding heart, both the Japanese and native species!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, elegant is a great way to describe it. It's not the "screaming for attention" type of plant, but it's a fabulous companion to so many plants, including the Bleeding Heart species.

      Delete
  15. A beautiful plant but I've has it spread a bit more than I would prefer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does spread some. It fits some styles of gardens better than others. I really like it here, and I don't mind if it moves around a bit.

      Delete
  16. The perfect woodland plant, it does work beautifully with ferns. And it is a stunning combination with the Bleeding Heart. I shall try that too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the Bleeding Heart combo is nice. Looking at these photos, some of which are from several years ago, I realized again ... areas of the garden where the Solomon's Seal has been and where it tends to go. I've never planted or transplanted it. I don't know if the previous owners were intentional in their use of it, or if it has spread into the garden from the woodland. But I like it in most of the places where it crops up.

      Delete
  17. My mom grows this in her woods garden. I think it is beautiful.
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like it, too, Carla. It's always been here since we've lived here and I take it for granted.

      Delete
  18. Gorgeous photos, Beth--just stunning! I want one--or two.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tina. One or two will probably yield more ... in the ideal conditions for the plant. But it doesn't seem too difficult to keep in check, if that's what you desire.

      Delete
  19. I have a lot of the variegated Solomon's Seal but have never noticed berries. Most excellent plant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never had the variegated version, but it's attractive, too. They're both great structural plants.

      Delete
  20. Great post. I didn't realize there were two Solomon's seals and have never seen the dark berries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apparently, there are multiple species with the nickname Solomon's Seal. Some of the other ones likely have different types of berries. Although sometimes the berries are gone from mine before I have a chance to notice them--if the birds get them first. ;-)

      Delete
  21. I had the False Solomon's Seal on my WW post since it is a native where I live, but Smooth Solomon's Seal is not, I do grow some though. Thanks for the good information, Beth. It does very well and actually spreads more enthusiastically. I never notice the berries on it either, maybe something eats them before I see them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I noticed that you included that one. It's beautiful, too. I'm going to have to watch for the berries this year. To be honest, I take this plant for granted and have only occasionally stopped to look closely for the berries. They're striking, though, in their color and form.

      Delete
  22. Hello, pretty plants. The Bleeding hearts is one of my favorite. The little bell are pretty. Happy weekend to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Eileen: I love the Bleeding Heart, too. It's such a welcome sight and sign that spring is in full swing. Happy weekend!

      Delete
  23. Great post. I have become a fan of Smooth Solomons Seal in the last couple years, especially after seeing them in Toronto. What do you think of the variegated variety that has become so popular?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jason. Yes, I noticed them quite a bit in Toronto, too, which gave me a renewed appreciation for them in my own garden. I like the variegated variety, but I probably won't plant it purposely, mainly because I have so many of the straight species P. biflorum in my garden already. Also, the variegated Hostas have such a presence here and would fill a similar niche in their coloring.

      Delete
  24. I like seeing your things that are growing and flowering . . .
    I think when we get from 30 to 60 it might be a color blaze around here.
    Everything looks like in "stop mode" right now.
    I too have Solomon Seal . . . Not sure how it arrived here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know: We've been so cold for late April and early May! Everything was in a holding pattern for about a week. It's starting to warm up now, which is nice because it's comfortable to hang out outside again. :)

      Delete
  25. I agree, Solomon's Seal is a fantastic plant and I love it, but can I keep it ? No, it is ravaged by something every year, so never gets the chance to grow and spread. Yours looks lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that's too bad! I haven't noticed anything nibbling on mine, which is weird because the rabbits eat so many of my plants. :(

      Delete
  26. I love how they look with the other plants. So graceful! A lovely woodland plant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ya, I seriously was scrolling through photos to find some with this plant, and it really struck me how well it blends with and compliments other plants. :)

      Delete
  27. Replies
    1. Me, too! I take it for granted, but it's a great plant for dry shade (or shade, in general).

      Delete
  28. While I grow Variegated Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum', I did not know much about Polygonatum biflorum. Thanks for the info and very nice photos. I adore those striped flowers! It combines well with other woodland plants and truly is a great plant for the woodland garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoy the variegated Polygonatum, too. All are great for woodland gardens. They're wonderful structural plants!

      Delete
  29. This is funny, because last week I was looking at my shade garden and wondered what some emerging stalks were. A few days later, I looked again and realize they were Solomon's Seal. I don't think I've ever noticed it in its early stages before. I love the little bell-shaped blooms along the stems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting that you say that, Rose. I think mine had an early start this year (like so many plants did). Usually, they seem to pop up overnight and grow tall quickly, so I don't notice them much until they're taller. This year, everything popped up in March, stayed in a holding pattern in April, and some are just beginning to fill out and reach their full size. I really like this plant when it flowers and when the berries appear (if the birds don't eat them all).

      Delete
  30. Can't say I'm familiar with this one. Love your bleeding hearts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's pretty common here. The Bleeding Hearts are like shrubs this time of year. :)

      Delete
  31. I love this plant too but have never seen the berries...the birds are too fast for me....great shots Beth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Usually, the birds eat them here, too, but we have so many Solomon's Seal plants that they don't always get to all of them. Thanks, Donna!

      Delete