Polygonatum, Variegated Solomon's Seal, Fragrant Solomon's Seal, Striped Solomon's Seal 'Variegatum'

Polygonatumodoratum var. thunbergii

Genus
Polygonatum (po-lig-oh-NAY-tum)
Synonym
Polygonatum japonicum
Polygonatum thunbergii
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Good Fall Color
This plant is resistant to deer
Smooth
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 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
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional

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

Meridianville, Alabama

Vincent, Alabama

Anchorage, Alaska

Elk Grove, California

Rancho Cordova, California

Hamden, Connecticut

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Washington, District of Columbia

Jacksonville, Florida

Atlanta, Georgia(2 reports)

Clarkesville, Georgia

Marietta, Georgia

Cherry Valley, Illinois

Godfrey, Illinois

Machesney Park, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Winnetka, Illinois

Carmel, Indiana

Greenville, Indiana

South Bend, Indiana

Fort Scott, Kansas

Goessel, Kansas

Barbourville, Kentucky

Hebron, Kentucky

Bordelonville, Louisiana

Mechanic Falls, Maine

Finksburg, Maryland

Ijamsville, Maryland

Salisbury, Maryland

Dracut, Massachusetts

Harwich, Massachusetts

North Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Roslindale, Massachusetts

Sharon, Massachusetts

Uxbridge, Massachusetts

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Lincoln Park, Michigan

Hopkins, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota(4 reports)

Natchez, Mississippi

Fordland, Missouri

Gainesville, Missouri

Piedmont, Missouri

Nashua, New Hampshire

Fanwood, New Jersey

Brooklyn, New York

Schenectady, New York

Selden, New York

Southold, New York

Yonkers, New York

Bessemer City, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina(3 reports)

Star, North Carolina

Bucyrus, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

Coshocton, Ohio

Dublin, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Greenville, Ohio

West Chester, Ohio

Enid, Oklahoma

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Indiana, Pennsylvania

Murrysville, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pipersville, Pennsylvania

Wrightsville, Pennsylvania

Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

Inman, South Carolina

Summerville, South Carolina

Antioch, Tennessee

Christiana, Tennessee

Eads, Tennessee

Hixson, Tennessee

Pikeville, Tennessee

Decatur, Texas

Garland, Texas

Houston, Texas

Lewisville, Texas

Nacogdoches, Texas

Richmond, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Tyler, Texas

Essex Junction, Vermont

Leesburg, Virginia

Kalama, Washington

Spokane, Washington

Vancouver, Washington

Huntington, West Virginia

Liberty, West Virginia

Watertown, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

17
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
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O
Gainesville, MO | April 2018 | positive

Excellent addition to any shade garden. It is very drought resistant, looks good from the first sign of spring through frosts in the fall...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | April 2014 | positive

A superb perennial for woodland/dry shade conditions. Graceful, elegant, and architectural. The flowers are a lovely bonus, but its main ...Read More

V
Ladysmith, BC | April 2014 | positive

I grow 5 different varieties of this plant. They do spread, slowing. But I liked that. They are a beautiful plant.

S
| May 2012 | positive

I bought my "basic" Solomon's Seal at a flea market. It grew in my Zone 4a, eastern Ontario garden on shallow, very poor soil in full su...Read More

W
Allentown, PA | March 2012 | positive

I lusted after this plant for a long time and bought it as a gift for myself upon my retirement. It has colonized a dry, dark area on the...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | July 2011 | positive

Attractive plant for foliage. Takes a fair amount of sun. Blooms in April-May in my garden.

R
Carmel, IN | December 2010 | positive

This is a plant that catalog photos don't do justice. It is so graceful and lovely in the woodland garden. It spreads very slowly in my a...Read More

I
Gilroy (Sunset Z14), CA (Zone 9a) | March 2009 | positive

I love this plant! I've found it to be really low-maintenance. I have had it for about 3 years in a 12" pot that gets morning sun & aft...Read More

E
| February 2009 | neutral

I only wish to ask, do Deer eat this plant? I live on the Queen Charlotte Islands, coastal rainforest and the Deer are always eating th...Read More

S
Aurora, ON (Zone 5b) | January 2009 | positive

Polygonatum odoratum var. thunbergii 'Variegatum' is sold as Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'.

M
Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | June 2008 | positive

Very lovely - one of the best plant for me - of course there are one little detail - they tend to wander like some other solomon's seal a...Read More

G
Huntington, WV (Zone 6a) | April 2007 | neutral

Spreads very slowly for me. I bought the plant several years ago - the variegated version. The past two years it has come up solid green ...Read More

V
(Zone 8a) | June 2006 | positive

Beautiful plant. mine is planted inground, getting a couple of hours of afternoon sun. I believe it would spread more rapidly if I gave...Read More

C
Fanwood, NJ | June 2006 | positive

I just love this plant. I planted 2 in early Spring 2006 and it is so colorful (even without the flowers) and has such an interesting, cl...Read More

J
Tyler, TX (Zone 8a) | May 2005 | positive

This plant grows well in East Texas. I have both variegated and plain. I have had mine for only a few months but it is comon here. It ...Read More

S
Dublin, OH (Zone 5b) | May 2005 | positive

Very attractive arching habit facilitates placing small plants beneath it if you desire. Leaves stay fresh and attractive all summer with...Read More

D
Spartanburg, SC (Zone 7b) | May 2004 | positive

I am very excited about this plant, and it grows very well in Upper Carolinas, just difficult to find !
Planted next to Hosta ...Read More

T
Piedmont, MO (Zone 6a) | April 2004 | positive

I think I paid $10 for my initial pot of this plant...must have $100 worth now. This is planted in moist well- drained soil, in part sun...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | May 2003 | positive

I purchased a pot of this plant this spring, and love the variegated foliage in my new woodland garden.

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