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Herbaceous Perennial

Polygonatum biflorum

smooth Solomon's seal

A large, rhizomatous perennial with arching stems up to 2m tall, clothed with pairs of pointed, oval, mid-green leaves. Hanging below the leaves, small clusters of tubular green and white flowers appear in late spring and early summer followed by small, black beries

Other common names

giant Solomon's seal
great Solomon's seal
see moreseal flower

Synonyms

Polygonatum commutatum
Polygonatum canaliculatum
see morePolygonatum giganteum
Polygonatum multiflorum giganteum hort.

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

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 GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets if eaten (dogs) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Polygonatum are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with erect or arching stems bearing glossy, elliptic leaves and pendent, tubular or bell-shaped flowers, sometimes followed by black or red berries
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, partial shade or full shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down to ground level in late autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and Solomon's seal sawfly

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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