Polygonatum falcatum A. Gray
sickle-shaped Solomon's seal
A clump-forming, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial 50-90cm high with slightly arching stems, narrowly lance-shaped green leaves, 8-20cm long and 1.8-2.5cm wide, and a cluster in each upper leaf axil of from two to five hanging, green-tipped white flowers, 1-2cm long, in late spring, sometimes followed by blue-black fruit, 3-4mm across.
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Black Blue | ||
| Autumn | Yellow | Black Blue | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
- Plant range
- Japan Korea
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade; will also tolerate sun or full shade if soil is cool and moist
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, or by division of the rhizomes when growth begins in spring, taking care to avoid damaging any young, brittle shoots
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and by Solomon's seal sawfly larvae
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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