Common Name: Solomon's seal
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asparagaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 1.50 to 1.75 feet
Spread: 1.75 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Fragrant
Leaf: Colorful
Tolerate: Erosion, Wet Soil
Culture
Easily grown in moist, humusy, organically rich, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Best performance occurs in cool sun-dappled shady areas. Dislikes hot summer conditions. Slowly spreads by thin rhizomes to form colonies in optimum growing conditions.
'Byakko' develops the best variegation with some dappled sun. Hardy in Zones 4-9.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Polygonatum odoratum, commonly called fragrant Solomon's seal, is a rhizomatous, shade-loving perennial that typically grows to 18-24” tall on low, gracefully arching, angled (as opposed to cylindrical), unbranched stems. It is native to shaded slopes and woodland areas in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Each stem (to 18” long) rises singly from the rhizome clad with 8-17 alternate, upright, parallel-veined, elliptic to ovate-oblong leaves (to 4” long). Leaves turn an attractive yellow in fall. Greenish-white tubular flowers (to 7/8” long) on short pedicels droop (usually in pairs but sometimes solitarily) from the leaf axils along and beneath the arching stems. Flowers have a sweet, lily-like fragrance. Flowers bloom late spring to early summer (May-June). Flowers are followed by attractive pendulous blue-black berries (each 1/4" diameter) in fall which hang downward from the leaf axils.
Genus name comes from Greek words poly meaning many and gonu meaning knee joint in reference to the jointed plant rhizomes. Early herbalists believed that plants with jointed rhizomes were helpful in treating human joint disorders.
Specific epithet comes from the Latin word odoratus meaning sweet smelling in reference to the fragrance of plant flowers.
Common name is usually considered to be in reference to the large, circular seals (leaf stalk scars) located on the rhizomes. However, some authorities suggest the common name actually refers to “wound sealing properties” of the plant.
'Byakko' features bright red stems with foliage that emerges solid green but matures to half green and half white. Plants will reach up to 20" tall with a spread of around 2'. Can be found in the nursery trade sold under the name "White Tiger".
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. All parts of this plant may cause discomfort if ingested by humans (plants contain small amounts of saponin and convallamarin). Watch for slugs, snails, weevils and sawflies. Leaf spot and rust infrequently appear.
Uses
Best in woodland gardens or shady areas of rock gardens or border fronts. Foliage is attractive in flower arrangements.