View All Plants  ::  View All SHADE PERENNIALS

Smilacina (syn. Maianthemum) stellata var. crassum

Starry False Solomon's Seal

Plant Type:

SHADE PERENNIALS

Smilacina stellata var. crassum (syn. Maianthemum) (ex: Maria Galletti) – With its handsome clean green leaves in alternating ovals on the stems this is a very attractive form of Starry False Solomon’s Seal. Charming reddish berries follow small starry white terminal flowers. Site Smilacina stellata var. crassum in full to part shade planted in draining fertile woodland soil. Once it settles in it is very tolerant to dry summer shade. This one is a casual roamer: it will emerge from winter dormancy sometimes many inches from where you might expect. This selection was made in Point Riche, Newfoundland. Pot grown from root cuttings.


Height:

6-10 in

Colors:

White

Zone:

4 to 7
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Smilacina (syn. Maianthemum) stellata var. crassum

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Spring

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Autumn Interest

  • Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads

Nature Attraction

  • Deer Resistant

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Dappled Shade

Attributes

  • Woodland
  • Natural Garden

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Humus Laden
  • Organic
  • Woodland

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Smilacina

Common Name: False Solomon's Seal

These have now been determined by taxonomists to be grouped in with the Maianthemum. In any case if you haven’t figured it out by now I have a “thing” for the Disporums, Polygonatums and the Smilacinas (or Maianthemums – whatever…) Oh, don’t let me leave out the Uvularias. These are of easy disposition and so elegant in the garden – quite wonderful contrast to shorter, softer-looking woodland denizes. The flowers are charming and sometimes even modestly glorious. The foliage on the arching stalks is arranged architecturally. Sometimes quite beautiful fruits decorate the plants enhancing the late season woodland garden. Some even develop yellowish fall colors before the hard frosts do them in.

Smilacina flowers at the stem tips, generally in a dense inflorescence, which is followed by a quite alluring show of clustered berries. All of the following prefer humus-laden woodland soil. All of the following are established pot grown plants from root cuttings.