What hardiness zones is Maianthemum racemosum suitable for?

Maianthemum racemosum is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Maianthemum racemosum?

Maianthemum racemosum requires Part Shade.

How much water does Maianthemum racemosum need?

Maianthemum racemosum has Low water needs.

Maianthemum racemosum, false Solomon's Seal

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Perennials

Maianthemum racemosum

false Solomon's Seal

Asparagaceae

North America — Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California; across most of the continent; moist to dry woodlands, forest edges, and shaded slopes

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At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-36 inches (45-90 cm)

Width18-30 inches (45-75 cm)

Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9

Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

Native to North America

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Maianthemum racemosum is false Solomon's seal (feathery false lily of the valley), a spreading deciduous perennial growing 18-36 inches (45-90 cm) tall and 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) wide. Creamy white sweetly fragrant 6-tepaled flowers in a large branched feathery pyramidal panicle 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) at the stem tip in May-June (5 weeks). Bright red berries in August-September. Bright green lance-shaped to elliptic leaves 3-6 inches (7-15 cm) with prominent parallel veins on arching unbranched stems. In Asparagaceae. Formerly Smilacina racemosa. Native across most of North America in moist to dry woodlands. The branched feathery pyramidal panicle distinguishes M. racemosum from M. stellatum (simple raceme) and M. dilatatum (cylindrical raceme with 4 tepals). Spreads slowly by rhizomes — less aggressive than M. dilatatum. More drought-tolerant than M. dilatatum. Deer browse the foliage. Berries toxic to humans (contain saponins causing nausea). Yellow-orange fall color. Zones 3-9. Part shade to full shade. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Native across most of North America — Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and across the continent. Found in moist to dry woodlands, forest edges, and shaded slopes.

Suggested Uses

Grown in woodland gardens, shade borders, and native plant gardens, spaced 18-30 inches (45-75 cm). Fragrant feathery flower panicle. Red berries. Arching form. Native to North America. Berries toxic. Zones 3-9.

How to Identify

Identified by a large branched feathery pyramidal panicle of small creamy white 6-tepaled flowers at the tip of arching unbranched stems with alternate parallel-veined leaves. The branched panicle (not a simple raceme) is the key diagnostic. Distinguished from true Solomon's seal (Polygonatum) which has pendant bell-shaped flowers along the stem, not a terminal panicle. In Asparagaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 3'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring

Late spring (May-June). Creamy white 6-tepaled flowers in branched feathery pyramidal panicle 2-5 inches (5-13 cm). Sweetly fragrant. 5 weeks. Bee-visited. Bright red berries follow in August-September.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Creamy white, small, 6-parted (6 tepals), in a large branched feathery pyramidal panicle 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) at the stem tip; sweetly fragrant

Foliage Description

Bright green, lance-shaped to elliptic, 3-6 inches (7-15 cm), with prominent parallel veins; 7-15 alternate leaves on arching unbranched stems; clasping (amplexicaul) leaf bases in the PNW subspecies

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade Full Shade

Requires 1-4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat sand

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part shade to full shade (1-4 hours). Moist to moderately dry soil pH 5.0-7.0. More drought-tolerant than M. dilatatum. Spreads slowly by rhizomes. Remove dead stems in late winter (February-March). Berries toxic (saponins). Deer browse. Zones 3-9.

Pruning

Remove old dead stems in late winter (February-March) before new growth. No other pruning needed.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to humans