Solomon’s seal is a charming antique perennial that deserves a spot in any woodland or shade garden. With its gracefully arching stems lined with delicate pairs of bells or lanterns, Solomon’s seal adds elegance and interest to shaded planting beds. This lovely plant also has attractive foliage that starts out green in spring and then variegates to chartreuse and golden tones in fall.
Solomon’s seal derives its name from the scars left on its rhizomes that supposedly resembled the biblical King Solomon’s royal seal. This woodland native has a long history of being grown as an ornamental shade plant as well as used for its medicinal properties. Read on to learn more about this enchanting plant and where to find Solomon’s seal plants for sale.
Where to Find Solomon’s Seal Plants for Sale
Solomon’s seal thrives in moist, humus-rich soil and shaded conditions. Once established, it spreads slowly to form colonies. Give it room to spread in a woodland garden or shady border. Here are some tips for finding Solomon’s seal plants for sale
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Look for mail order nurseries that specialize in woodland or shade plants. Reputable online sellers like Native Wildflowers, Plant Delights Nursery, or Wilson Brothers Gardens offer a nice selection of Solomon’s seal plants for sale.
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Check with local nurseries to see if they carry Solomon’s seal in stock or can special order it for you. Some nurseries sell field divisions in spring or fall.
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Visit plant sales held by botanical gardens, garden clubs, or horticultural societies. Members often donate divisions from their gardens.
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Divide and share plants with other gardeners. Once established, Solomon’s seal clumps can be divided every 2-3 years in early spring or fall and swapped with friends.
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Grow Solomon’s seal from seed. Sow fresh seeds in fall or stratify seeds over winter for spring sowing. This slow, but rewarding method allows you to grow more plants for free.
How to Plant and Care for Solomon’s Seal
Solomon’s seal thrives in zones 3-9. Plant it in spring or fall. Here are some tips for planting and caring for this woodland beauty:
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Site it properly. Solomon’s seal thrives in part to full shade. It needs consistently moist, but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Amend soil with compost as needed.
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Space clumps adequately. Allow 1-3 feet between plants so colonizes have room to spread. Place it near the back of borders or beds.
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Water regularly. Water Solomon’s seal weekly until established. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant but prefer consistent moisture. Mulch to conserve moisture.
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Fertilize lightly. Solomon’s seal needs little feeding. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or compost in spring. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers.
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Divide when needed. Divide congested clumps in early spring every 2-3 years. Replant the rhizomes and new growth will emerge quickly.
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Cut back foliage. Old foliage can be cut back any time after it fades to tan in late summer. New leaves emerge in spring.
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Watch for pests. Solomon’s seal is pest and disease resistant when grown in its preferred environment. Deer and rabbits generally avoid it.
How to Use Solomon’s Seal in the Garden
Here are some ideas for highlighting Solomon’s seal’s graceful beauty in garden designs:
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Plant it in groups or sweeps along the edges of wooded pathways. The arching stems will delicately brush against passersby.
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Use it as a graceful ground cover beneath shrubs and small trees like azaleas, dogwoods, and Japanese maples.
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Allow it to gently weave between boulders, stone outcroppings, and other shady rock garden features.
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Mass it together with ferns, heuchera, hosta, astilbe, and other shade perennials.
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Grow varieties with variegated foliage to brighten up dark corners.
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Let it wander and spread under the dappled shade of trees. It naturalizes nicely.
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Pair the dangling green and white bells with other white or chartreuse woodland flowers.
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Use the tall Giant Solomon’s seal as a focal point or vertical accent in the garden.
Interesting Facts about Solomon’s Seal
Beyond being a lovely ornamental plant, here are some fascinating facts about Solomon’s seal:
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Early herbalists used Solomon’s seal medicinally to treat lung conditions, joint pain, and skin issues. Modern studies show it has anti-inflammatory effects.
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The “seal” pattern left on the rhizomes when cut transversely does resemble ancient royal seals. This is how the plant got its common name.
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Young Solomon’s seal shoots can be steamed and eaten like asparagus. The roots are edible when properly prepared but toxic raw.
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Called “Treacle” in medieval England, the roots were boiled in sugar syrup and used as a cough remedy.
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In the language of flowers, Solomon’s seal signifies patience, humility, and discretion. An appropriate meaning for this demure woodland flower.
With its delicate bells, graceful arching stems, and variegated foliage, it’s easy to see why gardeners treasure Solomon’s seal. Be sure to make room in your shade garden for this timeless and lovely spring-blooming perennial.
Photo from Bluebird Nursery
Leaves have wide white to cream stripes.
Plant Review: Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum)
FAQ
Does Solomon’s Seal come back every year?
Although not a native, Variegated Solomon’s-seal (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’) is an extremely drought tolerant perennial for shady woodland gardens. The plants die back in winter with the first frost, but the foliage always looks superb throughout the spring and summer months.
Where can I find Solomon’s Seal?
The native species may just show up in shady sites, the seeds deposited by birds. Some of the more commonly available species and cultivars include: P. biflorum, Small or Smooth Solomon’s-seal, is native to eastern North America, from New England to Florida and west to Nebraska and Texas.
How fast does Solomon’s Seal spread?
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Rhizome Growth:Solomon’s seal spreads primarily through underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes can be divided and replanted to create new plants.
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Steady Growth:The plant is considered a steady grower, gradually expanding its footprint over the years.
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Not Invasive:While it can spread, Solomon’s seal is not known to be aggressively invasive.
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Easy to Control:Its spread can be easily managed by digging up plants that emerge from wandering rhizomes.
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Establishment Time:It can take time for seeds to germinate and for plants to reach maturity, notes Prairie Moon Nursery.
When to buy Solomon’s Seal?
Plant Solomon’s seal from young plants in spring. You can also buy plants ‘in the green’ in spring, or order rhizomes online that are usually delivered from late autumn – plant as soon as you receive them, just below the soil surface.
Is Solomon’s seal invasive?
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Slow spread:Solomon’s Seal spreads gradually through rhizomes, so it’s easily manageable.
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Not aggressive:Unlike some invasive ground covers, Solomon’s Seal doesn’t typically dominate its surroundings.
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Easy to control:You can easily dig up and remove any unwanted plants that sprout from its rhizomes.
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Ideal for shade gardens:Solomon’s Seal is a beautiful and low-maintenance plant perfect for shady areas in the garden.
What does a great Solomon’s seal plant look like?
Also called Polygonatum canaliculatum or Great Solomon’s Seal, this plant has long, arching stems that dangle cream-colored flowers early spring. Large purple seeds and golden leaves add interest in fall. Germination takes time (note code F, below) but it is well-invested; plants spread slowly and form colonies once established.
How do Solomon’s seal plants grow?
Solomon’s Seal has long, arching stems that dangle cream-colored flowers early spring. Large purple Seeds add interest in fall. Plants spread slowly and form colonies once established. Solomon’s Seal can grow in full sun or full shade.
Is Solomons seal an herbaceous perennial?
Solomons Seal plant, Polygonatum species, is an attractive plant for the shaded parts of the garden and an anti-inflammatory for joint pain and arthritis. Native to Europe and Asia and prefers well drained soils in a protected shaded position. It is an herbaceous perennial that grows to 1.0m.
Where does Solomon’s seal grow?
Solomon’s seal ( Polygonatum spp.) is a genus of woodland plants. Four of them are native to North America. The most commonly grown in the US is P. biflorum. Its range is from New England south to Florida and as far west as Texas. It is also known as Small or Smooth Solomon’s Seal.
Can Solomon’s seal grow under trees?
Solomon’s seal is a woodland plant, often found growing under trees. Try to mimic that in your own garden, either growing it under trees or in dappled shade. The plants will tolerate full shade, but grow best in partial shade. In the southern parts of its range, make sure that your plants get afternoon shade to protect them from the hot sun.
Which plants can be paired with Solomon’s seal?
Solomon’s Seal can be paired with other woodland garden plants such as hosta, carex, aspidistra, woodland phlox, heuchera, and arisaema. In the video below, Tony Avent demonstrates how to divide polygonatum.