What: Smilacina racemosa has a graceful architectural appearance: Its strong, slightly arching stems have deep green alternating leaves with strong parallel veins running up to the tip. Plume-like clusters of small white flowers — make sure to enjoy their unexpected rose fragrance — crown this perennial in mid-spring. By late summer appear showy, red berries that are sometimes spotted with purple. False Solomon’s seal is drought tolerant and grows well in dry, shady locations. It is a natural for the woodland garden and great in combination with rhododendrons, sword fern, Cascade Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa), hostas and lily-of-the-valley shrubs (Pieris).
Where: False Solomon’s seal is very adaptable and grows well in light to deep shade and in moist to well-drained soils, including sandy and clay sites.
Size: Smilacina racemosa will grow to be 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide when mature.
Care: It is drought tolerant once established, although occasional watering will keep it looking fresh. Remove seed heads before they mature to reduce the number of seedlings. Cut to the ground in the fall once the foliage begins to yellow.
— Richie Steffens, Great Plant Picks
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
