Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum) is a perennial plant found in temperate regions across the Northern Hemisphere. This shade-loving plant is valued for its elegant, architectural form, offering a graceful presence in woodland and shaded garden settings. Its most distinctive features include a gently arching stem and delicate, bell-shaped flowers that appear in late spring.
Physical Characteristics and Growth Habit
The true Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum) is an herbaceous perennial that emerges annually from stout, fleshy rhizomes. These underground stems bear knobby scars resembling ancient wax seals, which is the origin of the plant’s common name. The rhizomatous nature allows the plant to spread slowly, forming natural-looking colonies.
The unbranched stems grow upward before arching over, reaching heights between 1 and 6.5 feet, depending on the species. Leaves are arranged alternately along the stem, presenting an elliptical or ovate shape with prominent parallel veins.
Between late spring and early summer, small, greenish-white flowers develop and hang gracefully from the underside of the stem. These bell- or tubular-shaped blooms appear at the axil where each leaf meets the main stem. Following flowering, spherical, dark blue to black berries form along the stem and ripen in the autumn.
Differentiating True and False Solomon’s Seal
The common names of True Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum) and False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum) often lead to confusion. The primary distinguishing feature lies in the location and form of the flowers. True Solomon’s Seal produces elongated, bell-shaped flowers dangling beneath the leaves at the leaf axils.
False Solomon’s Seal, in contrast, displays its flowers in a showy, terminal plume or cluster at the very tip of the arching stem. These flowers are typically small, star-shaped, and creamy white, forming a feathery panicle. The difference in flower placement is the most reliable way to distinguish the two genera, as their foliage is superficially similar.
The fruit also differs after the bloom period. True Solomon’s Seal produces dark blue or black berries that hang individually from the leaf axils. False Solomon’s Seal develops a cluster of round berries at the stem tip that mature to a distinct translucent red.
Planting and Cultivation Guide
Solomon’s Seal flourishes best in conditions that mimic its native woodland habitat. The most suitable location is in partial to full shade, preferably receiving dappled sunlight or morning sun while protected from harsh afternoon exposure. The plant is robust and tolerant of cold, thriving across USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.
Soil should be rich in organic matter, moist, and well-draining for optimal growth. Established plants, particularly species like Polygonatum x hybridum, tolerate dry shade, making them useful for planting near tree roots. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.0 to 7.0) is preferred.
Consistent moisture is important, especially during the active growing season and dry summer months. Applying an organic summer mulch, such as leaf mold or compost, helps maintain soil moisture and cool the root zone. Maintenance is minimal, primarily involving cutting back the foliage to the ground in late autumn after the stems have died back.
Propagation is achieved through the division of the rhizomes, done in early spring before new growth or in late autumn. The thick, knobby rhizomes should be carefully dug up and cut into sections, ensuring each piece retains at least one distinct growth bud. Divisions should be replanted horizontally a few inches deep in prepared soil.