Sing a song of Solomon’s seals

BY L.A. JACKSON

SOLOMON’S SEAL IS A DELIGHTFUL ornamental perennial that can add charm to shady South Carolina gardens through the long growing season. While many gardeners admire it, not all know there are about 60 species of Solomon’s seal. So, to cut down on complications, allow me to introduce you to three of the prettiest and, more important, easiest-to-find variet ies at nurseries both locally and online this spring.

Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum). A native of woodlands in the eastern United States, this version of Solomon’s seal makes a flowing statement in shady cultivated gar dens with green, ovate leaves riding on curved branches up to 3 feet tall.

TIP OF THE MONTH Replace the mulch around your roses this month. Swapping out winter mulch with a new, fresh, fluffy ground covering applied to a thickness of 2 to 4 inches will help keep roots cool during the summer and prevent weeds as well as retain soil moisture. Since most mulches take their time breaking down and providing nutritional value for rose plants, think about going with a one-two approach by first generously spreading rich compost (or well-rotted manure, if you know a local farmer) and then topping it with a typical, more eye-appealing layer of shredded hardwood, pine straw or pine bark.

In the spring, rows of bell-shaped, light green to white flowers playfully dangle in pairs underneath the arching limbs, and they develop into small, fleshy, dark-blue berries by summertime, which might not mean much to us, but for our feathered garden friends, they are delicious bird-candy. Come autumn, its foliage salutes the growing season’s end by turning a pleasing buttery yellow.

As is typical of most Solomon’s seals, this version will slowly colonize and spread in the right conditions, which include acidic soil with a healthy organic mix to help retain ground moisture and a planting site located in part to full shade.

Variegated Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’). This import from Asia is just what the landscape doctor ordered for a good dose of “Yipes! Stripes!” to a shady nook. Of similar stature and performance as our native Solomon’s seal, it has more eye candy with cream-colored streaks along the lengths of its leaves, which help break up the ho-hum sea of green common in many southern shade gardens. This snappy dresser was even named the Perennial Plant Association’s 2013 Perennial Plant of the Year.

False Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum). Although not in the same genus as “true” Solomon’s seals, this close cousin is a North American native that has the same look and grace. False Solomon’s seal is sometimes even found paired in the wild with our indigenous Solomon’s seal, meaning it also thrives in similar growing conditions.

So, what’s the difference? Instead of bell-like flowers hanging from the stems, false Solomon’s seal shows off feathery bloom clusters on the tips of its limbs. These white sprites give way to berries that can ripen to a snappy red, but personally, I usually don’t see this pleasant hue because birds eagerly gobble up the maturing fruits.

L.A. JACKSON is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.