Solomon's Seal

Learn about Solomon's Seal, a low maintenance, shade loving perennial with interesting spring flowers and pretty foliage all season long.

There are so many perennials to try in the garden. I like to highlight some that have grown easily and well for me. Today, the feature is Solomon's Seal. The flowers, though charming, are small and dainty as far as flower gardens go, however, the foliage is very pretty and looks good from spring through fall.

I have a couple of large groupings where it goes faithfully every year. My particular variety is a variegated one with yellowish cream edges on green leaves.

More Shade Loving Perennials: Begonia Grandis.....Hellebore Lenten Rose.....Pulmonaria aka Lungwort

Here's a pic (above) of the new growth coming up in April. It looks like asparagus. Some say these young shoots are edible however, I have never tried it and would caution against foraging any plant without thorough research.

It flowers by late spring in pairs that hang from below the arching stems at the leaf axils. The tubular flowers remind me of snowdrops or lily of the valley flowers. They are fragrant but mildly so.

In the fall, the leaves may turn yellow, and the flowers become dark berries that birds eat, but I've read that they are toxic to humans.

Solomon's seal is not considered invasive. However, as you can see from the image above, it will spread.

Another one that pollinators love, as shown above with a bumblebee gathering nectar. So if you are looking for a shade loving, easy to grow, reliable perennial, Solomon's Seal should be on your list.