Asarum Species, European Wild Ginger, Hazelwort, Spikenard

Asarumeuropaeum

Genus
Asarum (as-AIR-um)
Species
europaeum (yoo-ROH-pay-um)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Herbaceous
Shiny/Glossy
Textured
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Brown/Bronze
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Groundcovers
Water Requirements
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Cos Cob, Connecticut

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Stamford, Connecticut

Washington, District of Columbia

Chicago, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Waterman, Illinois

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

Louisville, Kentucky

Durham, Maine

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

Lexington, Massachusetts

Reading, Massachusetts

Swansea, Massachusetts

Royal Oak, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota(3 reports)

Munsonville, New Hampshire

Morristown, New Jersey

Binghamton, New York

Cutchogue, New York

Jefferson, New York

Southold, New York

Mogadore, Ohio

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Westerly, Rhode Island

Richmond, Texas

Lexington, Virginia

Kalama, Washington

Olympia, Washington

Kendall, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
V
(Zone 8a) | May 2007 | neutral

I love this plant because of its beautiful round leaves. I bought some last year but it didn't make it. Possibly not enough moisture. ...Read More

W
Kendall, WI (Zone 4a) | December 2006 | positive

Attractive shiny foliage. Plant is easily divided to produce new plants. Great ground cover for a woodland setting.

M
Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | November 2006 | positive

Slow to spread compare to American Wild Ginger, forms a neat clump, Fully Zone 4 hardiness.

N
West Chazy, NY (Zone 4b) | March 2005 | positive

I love the looks of the shiny round leaves of this plant. It is a very desirable ground cover. It spreads nicely but is far from being ag...Read More

T
Penfield, NY (Zone 6a) | November 2002 | positive

This is one of my favorite groundcovers. It is slow growing. Looks wonderful planted at the base of a multi-trunk tree or shrub. You have...Read More

L
L
(Zone 8a) | May 2002 | neutral

Both the native (Northern European) Asarabacca and exotic relatives are popular as garden plants for their cyclamen-like foliage. Asaraba...Read More

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