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Polygonatum verticillatum 'Rubrum'

Solomon's Seal

Plant Type:

SHADE PERENNIALS

Polygonatum verticillatum 'Rubrum' - ​Light pink bell-shaped flowers among whorls of narrow blade-shaped leaves result in red berries late in the growing season. All Polygonatums are architectural components in the shade garden but this one because of its size and the foliage arrangement is dramatically so. Each stem looks superficially like a crazy woodland lily. This most fascinating species hales from Northern India and China. Site in morning sun to open shade in fertile woodland soil. This is certainly a fine addition to the woodland arena but demonstrates sun tolerance. For gardeners towards the northern end of its range spring planting is advised. Division from root cuttings will arrive potted.


Height:

6-7 ft

Colors:

Light Pink

Zone:

5 to 7(8 or warmer?)
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Polygonatum verticillatum 'Rubrum'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Spring

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / into Autumn

Autumn Interest

  • Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads

Light

  • Sun Tolerant
  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Dappled Shade

Attributes

  • Natural Garden
  • Woodland
  • Border
  • Wildlife Garden
  • Accent

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Moderately Fast

Soil

  • Fertile
  • Woodland

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.