Scented Solomon's-seal is a perennial native to Europe and Asia, grown in U.S. shade gardens. Its arching stems carry oval leaves, with small white, green-tipped flowers hanging beneath them in spring.
Appearance
Appearance
Arching stems bear alternating oval leaves, with white flowers hanging beneath them.
Flowers
Small white, green-tipped bells hang from where the leaves meet the arching stems.
Both have hanging bells beneath arching stems. Cream-edged leaves point toward the garden variety of scented Solomon's-seal; green-leaved plants may need a closer look and cannot be separated reliably by flower color alone.
Why they get mixed up · Both are sold or seen under the name Solomon's seal.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
Shade gardens
Woodland gardens
Range
Native across Europe and Asia, from Britain to Siberia, China, Korea, and Japan. It isn't native to North America, where it's grown as a garden perennial.
Preferred conditions
In U.S. gardens, cultivated forms grow in partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Growing it
Care
Garden plants are grown in shade and can be divided at their underground stems.
Propagation
Garden plants can be divided at their underground stems.
Name and classification
About the name
The cream-edged garden 'Variegatum' belongs to Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum. Scented Solomon's-seal is also called angular Solomon's seal.
Conservation
IUCN Red List
NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed
Culture and stories
Culture and stories
The jointed underground stem inspired the genus name Polygonatum.