Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Polygonatum odoratum 'Red Stem'

angular Solomon's Seal 'Red Stem'

'Red Stem' is a rhizomatous perennial to 55cm tall with arching red stems and oval to lance-shaped leaves. One to two slightly fragrant, cylindrical, cream-white flowers tipped with green are borne in the leaf axils in spring and early summer and may be followed by blue-black berries

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Cream Green White Green
Summer Red Cream Green White Green
Autumn Black Blue
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

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

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
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

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back to the base in late autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and solomon's seal sawfly

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.