Polygonatum pubescens
hairy Solomon's-seal
Overview
Polygonatum pubescens is a rhizomatous perennial with arching unbranched stems 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) long, spreading slowly into colonies in woodland soil. The alternate leaves are oval to elliptic, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, set in two ranks along the stem, with short hairs on the veins of the lower surface that separate this species from the smooth Polygonatum biflorum. In late spring, small greenish-white tubular flowers 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) long hang in pairs on slender stalks from the leaf axils along the underside of the arching stem. The flowers ripen into round blue-black berries by late summer, also paired beneath the leaves. The stem rises each spring from a knotty horizontal rhizome that carries round scars left by past stems, the mark behind the name Solomon's-seal. It grows in moist to dry deciduous woods, slopes, and shaded banks across eastern North America. Foliage turns yellow in fall before dying back. One trade-off is the modest flowering, since the small flowers hang hidden under the foliage and the main interest is the arching leafy stems.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, from Quebec and Manitoba south to Georgia and west to Iowa. It grows in moist to dry deciduous woods, wooded slopes, ravines, and shaded banks on rich soils.Suggested Uses
Used in shade and woodland gardens, native plantings, and shaded borders as an arching foliage perennial. It is grown massed along paths and naturalized as a ground layer under trees.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Paired greenish-white tubular flowers hang from the leaf axils in May and June. The blooms last about two weeks and are easy to overlook beneath the arching foliage. Round blue-black berries follow and ripen by late summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Medium green, yellow in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in part to full shade in moist, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils at pH 5.0-7.0, and tolerates drier shade once established. It needs shade and steady moisture, scorching in full sun. Hardy in zones 3-7, it dies back in winter and returns from the rhizome in spring. It spreads slowly into colonies and is divided in early spring or fall by cutting the rhizome into sections with a growth bud. It needs little care beyond a yearly leaf-litter mulch.Pruning
Pruning is minimal. Stems are cut to the ground after they yellow in fall or left to stand. Rhizomes are divided in spring or fall to expand or contain the colony.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons