Chinese Wild Ginger

Asarum splendens

Chinese Wild Ginger is a perennial for edging, groundcover, suited to shade and partial shade and loam or acid soil, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Where to use it in a border

At around 20 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 40 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 6a to 9b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, acid soil, evergreen plants, pet-safe plants.

Border Builder uses Chinese Wild Ginger's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
• It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
• It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Cascade Oregon Grapefor height behind it
• Cinnamon Fernfor height behind it
• Common Yellow Azaleafor height behind it
• Dusky cranesbill 'Samobor'to edge in front
• Florida Leucothoefor height behind it
• Fringed Bleeding Heartto edge in front

Garden styles

Shade cottage Wildlife garden Woodland