Asarum canadense – Wild Ginger

Description

Part Shade / Full Shade           Zones: 4 – 6

Habit: mounding / spreading             H: 6 – 12″  x  W:  12 – 18″

Basically a stemless plant which features two downy, heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, handsomely veined, dark green, basal leaves (up to 6″ wide). Cup-shaped, purplish brown flowers (1″ wide) appear in spring on short, ground-level stems. Flowers are quite attractive but bloom singly on or near the ground and are usually hidden from view by the foliage. Although not related to culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale), the roots of this plant produce a scent that is reminiscent thereof. Fresh or dried roots were used by early Americans as a ginger substitute, but the plant is not normally used today for culinary purposes.

Cultivation: Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil, in part shade to full shade. Prefers constantly moist, acidic soils in heavy shade. Spreads slowly by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover for shade areas.

Utilization: Usually grown as a ground cover in shady areas. Woodland gardens, native plant gardens or naturalized areas. Also may be used for edging.

Photos courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden 

Size: 2.5″ pot