Polygonatum stewartianum

Stewarts Solomon's Seal

Plant Type:

SHADE PERENNIALS

Polygonatum stewartianum - Narrow dark green lances ring the stems in tiers. Spring into summer bells are blush pink and cream set in a whorl from leaf axils dangling from short pedicels. Berries follow turning red in the late season garden. Drought tolerant and the rabbits ignore Stewarts Solomon's Seal. Site in sun to part shade in fertile, organic and draining soil. Established potted Solomon's Seal from division.


Height:

48-60 in

Spread:

10-12 in

Colors:

Green / Pink / White

Zone:

(4a?)5 to 7
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Polygonatum stewartianum

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Late Spring / Early Summer

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / into Autumn

Autumn Interest

  • Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads

Nature Attraction

  • Honey Bees & Native Bees
  • Deer Resistant
  • Butterflies
  • Hummingbirds

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun
  • Shade Tolerant
  • Mostly Sunny

Attributes

  • Natural Garden
  • Grouping
  • Collector Plant
  • Cutting Garden
  • Border
  • Cottage Garden
  • Wildlife Garden
  • Meadow / Field

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Moderately Fast

Soil

  • Draining
  • Fertile

Origins

  • China

Propagated By

  • Division

Genus Overview: Polygonatum

Common Name: Solomon's Seal

These are the architectural Solomon Seals, all strong contrasting counterpoint to other denizens in the woodland/shade garden. Solomon Seals form spectacular colonies of upright arching stems from rhizomes just under the surface soil and leaf duff. Allan Armitage writes in his 2nd edition of Herbaceous Perennial Plants, “The common name Solomon’s Seal may have been derived from the circular sunken scars that remain on the rootstock after the leaf stalks die and fall off; the scar somewhat resembles a seal impressed on wax on official documents or letters in former times.” The simple leaves are obovate to elliptic turning yellow to golden brown in autumn before dropping. All prefer open shade to morning sun. When flowers are pollinated dangling blue fruits may develop on short paired pedicels along stems from leaf axils. All of the following offerings are by pot grown established division.