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Herbaceous Perennial

Maianthemum canadense

Canadian mayflower

A spreading perennial to 25cm tall, with glossy, dark green, ovate leaves to 5cm long on short stalks from the rhizome. In late spring and early summer it produces loose spikes of small, white, starry flowers; these are followed by green-mottled berries ripening to red. Grow in a woodland garden or shaded border

Other common names

ruby bead
two-leaved Solomon's seal

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Maianthemum are rhizomatous perennials with erect or arching stems bearing alternate leaves and small star-shaped flowers in terminal racemes or panicles, followed by red berries
Name status: Correct
Plant range: North, East and Central North America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in light dappled or full shade

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide rhizomes in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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