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Polygonatum odoratum 'Dai koga' - courtesy of Shikoku Gardens
Polygonatum odoratum 'Dai koga'
Solomon's Seal
Plant Type:
SHADE PERENNIALSPolygonatum odoratum 'Dai koga' - Yellow leaves edged in green upon arched stems will astonish. The green doesn't always show. The yellow often makes me think that the leaves were painted with a very sophisticated emulsifying spray gun. This choice perennial holds this amazing color all through the growing season. 'Dai koga' is an absolute stunner in the garden - warm sunshine in Picasso format illuminating the shady forest floor. A Japanese selection, 'Dai koga' apparently sells for hundreds of dollars there. We're offering these at the best price we can. Some Polygonatum size-up relatively quickly; not so for this selection which makes it even more choice. Oh! One more point... we're unclear as to the English translation of the Japanese “dai koga”; literal translations settle foggily somewhere between “big 'ol river” and “big powder” (I've stopped stressing out over it LOL). Part sun to open shade in fertile, draining woodland conditions. Established potted European Solomon's Seal with a major twist from division.
Characteristics and Attributes for Polygonatum odoratum 'Dai koga'
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Spring
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / into Autumn
Autumn Interest
- Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads
Nature Attraction
- Deer Resistant
- Honey Bees & Native Bees
Light
- Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
- Dappled Shade
- Shade
Attributes
- Cottage Garden
- Border
- Woodland
- Drought Tolerant
- Accent
- Collector Plant
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Slow
Soil
- Woodland
- Draining
- Fertile
Origins
- Garden Origin
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.