Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum x hybridum
Solomon's Seal is a perennial for mid-border, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam or acid soil, flowering May, Jun.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 90 cm |
| Spread | 45 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 3a-7b, RHS H7 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 90 cm, it sits best through the middle of a border, between taller structure behind and edging in front. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 7b and rated H7 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, acid soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Solomon's Seal'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
- It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
- Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Astilbe 'Visions'to edge in front
- Azaleato flower when it does not
- Barrenwort 'Orange Queen'to edge in front
- Bergenia 'Purpurea'to edge in front
- Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'to flower when it does not
- Bleeding Heartto flower when it does not
Garden styles
Cottage garden Shade cottage Woodland
Sources
Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: