I can hardly believe I have yet to blog about this, one of my all-time favourite plants. Polygonatum x hybridum is Solomon’s seal, an ideal plant for a dank, shady spot. Mine is thriving near a north-facing wall and growing in what appears to be solid clay.
The flowers of Solomon's seal are hidden among its leaves and are often reluctant to open fully
It’s a quiet plant with arching stems and striated green leaves – the principal attraction really, as the white bell-like flowers, lightly tinged green, hang down from the undersides and are all but hidden. You have to turn the stem upwards to see them.
It’s related to lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) – and like that plant, it can prove difficult to establish. Rather than buying one from a garden centre, it’s better to beg a piece from a friend, making sure that the transplant has a good clod of its home earth clinging to the roots. I have regularly dug up bits of mine, but think I shall leave it for a year or two and see how far it will spread.
I understand there are variegated forms – but the ordinary one is good enough for me.
Tags: bell-like flowers, Convallaria majalis, lily-of-the-valley, perennials, perennials for clay soil, perennials for shade, plants for clay soil, plants for shade, Polygonatum x hybridum, Solomon's seal, spring-flowering perennials, transplanting, variegated plants, white-flowered plants
May 31, 2010 at 5:01 pm |
This popped up in our garden this year – it’s a wonderful plant. Didn’t know what it was until we found it in a nursery yesterday.
Ours is growing very dry, heavy clay soil and is thriving!