What hardiness zones is Polygonatum suitable for?

Polygonatum is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Polygonatum?

Polygonatum requires Part Shade.

How much water does Polygonatum need?

Polygonatum has Medium water needs.

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Perennials

Polygonatum

Solomon's seal

Asparagaceae

Temperate Northern Hemisphere; P. biflorum native to eastern and central North America

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height18–48 inches (45–120 cm)

Width18–24 inches (45–60 cm)

Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

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

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (light)

Native to North America

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Polygonatum (Solomon's seal) includes approximately 60 species of rhizomatous herbaceous perennials native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with highest diversity in Asia. Plants emerge in spring from thick creeping rhizomes, producing unbranched, arching stems 18–48 inches (45–120 cm) tall depending on species. Leaves alternate, ovate to elliptic, 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) long, with prominent parallel veins, arranged in two ranks along the stem creating an elegant horizontal tiered effect. Small tubular bell-shaped flowers, 0.5–1 inch (1.2–2.5 cm) long, white to greenish-white, hang in pairs or small clusters from the leaf axils beneath the stems; in P. odoratum they are sweetly fragrant. Flowers in late spring are followed by blue-black berries 0.25–0.4 inch (6–10 mm) in diameter by late summer. Plants die to the ground in fall. All parts are toxic to pets and potentially toxic to humans if ingested. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8 (species-dependent).

Native Range

Polygonatum species range across the temperate Northern Hemisphere. P. biflorum (great Solomon's seal) is native to eastern and central North America, from Quebec south to Florida and Texas, growing in moist, shaded woodlands and forest margins. P. odoratum (fragrant Solomon's seal) is native to Europe and Asia. Most commonly cultivated species prefer shaded, humus-rich woodland conditions.

Suggested Uses

Used as a groundcover and shade garden perennial at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. The arching stems create elegant horizontal layers in shaded beds. Combines well with hostas, ferns, astilbe, and trillium in woodland gardens. The variegated cultivar P. odoratum Variegatum (cream-edged leaves) is widely grown as a foliage accent. Berries attract birds in fall.

How to Identify

Identified by arching, unbranched stems with alternate oval to elliptic leaves arranged in two ranks creating a horizontal tiered silhouette, and small pendulous white tubular bell-shaped flowers hanging beneath the stems in pairs or small clusters in late spring. The circular rhizome scars — resembling wax seals, which give rise to the common name — are visible on the thick horizontal rhizomes when plants are divided. Distinguished from Smilacina and Maianthemum (false Solomon's seal) by the pendulous axillary flowers rather than terminal racemes.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 4'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

gold

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Blooms in late spring, typically May through early June in zones 4–7. Individual flowers last 1–2 weeks; the flowering period spans 2–3 weeks per plant. Flowers are followed by small blue-black berries that develop through summer and ripen in late summer to fall. The arching foliage is ornamental from spring through fall, when it turns soft golden-yellow before dying back.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to greenish-white, small pendulous bells

Foliage Description

Medium green, ovate to elliptic with prominent parallel veins; golden-yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Tolerates up to 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 Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclay

Drainage

moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3–5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant rhizomes 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) deep in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained to moist soil. Space plants 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) apart; they spread slowly by rhizomes to form colonies over time. Water during establishment; once established, tolerates moderate dry shade, especially P. biflorum. Apply compost or leaf mulch annually in fall to mimic woodland conditions. Divide congested clumps every 5–7 years in early spring or fall. Solomon's seal sawfly (Phymatocera aterrima) occasionally strips leaves; handpick larvae or apply an organic insecticide if severe.

Pruning

No deadheading needed. Cut stems to the ground in fall after the foliage turns yellow and dies back, or leave standing for winter interest. Leave berries for wildlife through fall and early winter. Divide by separating rhizomes in early spring as growth begins or in fall after die-back.

Pruning Schedule

fall

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets