Asarum - Wild Ginger
One of the best low-growing shade ground covers you will find. Easy care and very beautiful green foliage.
| Asarum | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Light | Light Shade to Full Shade |
| Water | Humis Well Drained Soil |
| Diseases | Rust |
| Pests | Snails, Slubs |
| Propagation | Divisions, Seeds |
| Color | Blue, White, Pink, Violet |
| Zones | Varies |
| Features | Deer Resistant |
American Ginger (Asarum canadensis): This is a great little groundcover for shade. It has little brown flowers that hide under the leaves in the spring.
Unlike the other wild gingers, this one is deciduous. It slowly spreads outward a little each year and and can be easily dug up and transplanted in the spring.
It self-seeds, as well. Looks great with Solomon's seal and ferns, especially maidenhair.
If you have a shady spot and are having trouble finding just the right plant to survive, look no further.
The Asarum will easily fill your needs and fill the bare spot for that matter. There are several varieties of Asarum available, but none can compare to the rich green leathery, glossy leaves of the European Wild Ginger.
These low-growing ground covers will quitely fill and are a very well behaved plant. They are not invasave in the least and can easly be divided to make a bright green splash in a shady area.
The plants fill-in very tightly and prevent any weeds from growing.
Although mulch is beneficial when first planting Wild Ginger, you will find that when the bed matures, you won't - or can't I mean, even get any mulch between the plants.
I planted and entire ground cover bed of Wild Ginger, in amongst some Cinniman Ferns and the combination looks georgeous.
The plant is very easy to care for and is a 'plant it and forget it' type of plant.
As soon as ripe, sow seeds in containers in a cold frame. Some species may self-seed freely.
In early spring, carefully divide the rhizomes.
Asarum splendens 'Quick Silver' - Wild Ginger: Stunning, large, silver mottled evergreen leaves. Huge 3-inch wide flowers are brown, purple and cream.
Plants spread readily. This vigorous and superbly easy-to-grow Chinese ginger makes a great groundcover for the woodland garden. Variegation can be quite variable from plant to plant.
Zones 6 - 10; 6 - 8" tall.
Astilbe:
The feathery leaves and flower stalks of astilbe create a lovely foil for the medium texture of wild ginger foliage. Early summer blooms in red, pink, white, or lavender add drama to the show.
Hosta:
Hostas of all shapes and sizes pair beautifully with wild ginger as a carpet around their bases. Both appreciate moist shade.
Japanese Painted Fern:
The silvery fronds of Japanese painted fern make a great combo with either the glossy green leaves of European wild ginger or downy green foliage of Canadian wild ginger.
Cinnamon Fern:
Tall and elegant, these ferns look great during the spring and summer months thanks to their green fronds, but also in fall and winter when their upright reproductive fronds stand in the snow.
Maidenhair Fern:
Use beautiful maidenhair ferns to add an airy, delicate texture to the shade garden. There's something almost magical about the plants, especially when paired with a coarser plant, such as hosta.
Asarum - European Wild Ginger: Everyone loves this carefree, evergreen groundcover. Handsome, 3" rounded leaves have a deep, lustrous shine. European Ginger makes a striking partner near rhododendrons, under trees, and in the woodlands.
In early spring, maroon flowers bloom amongst the leaves. Mixed with ferns, it makes a dramatic contrast. Easy to grow in part shade with damp soil
Asarum - European Wild Ginger: Everyone loves this carefree, evergreen groundcover. Handsome, 3" rounded leaves have a deep, lustrous shine. European Ginger makes a striking partner near rhododendrons, under trees, and in the woodlands.
American Ginger (Asarum canadensis): This is a great little groundcover for shade. It has little brown flowers that hide under the leaves in the spring.
Asarum - 'Maximum' (Ling-Ling): Like the face of a panda, these stunning black and white 2 inch velvety blooms peek out from under its fabulous foliage.
The leaves are heart shaped and glossy dark green mottled with silvery blotches. This evergreen is among the most beautiful and unusual of ground covers for the shade and one of the most sought after of all the asarum species. Exotic looking but easy to grow.
Zone 7 - 8; 8" tall.
Asarum splendens 'Quick Silver' - Wild Ginger: Stunning, large, silver mottled evergreen leaves. Huge 3-inch wide flowers are brown, purple and cream. Zones 6 - 10.
Asarum - 'Maximum' (Ling-Ling): Like the face of a panda, these stunning black and white 2 inch velvety blooms peek out from under its fabulous foliage. Zones 7 - 8, 8" Tall.
Spacing: Plant at least 12" apart.
Fertilizer: Use Osmocote Fertilizer and spread over surface of the ground once every 6 months. Use about 1/2 to 1 small handful, depending on size of plants.
Sun: Does best with partial to full shade.
Soil and Irrigation: Does well in moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained but moist soil. Neutral to acidic soil is best. Neutral to acidic soil is best.
Wild Ginger is one of my all time favorite ground covers of all time. You can plant it and forget about it with this plant. Occasionaly check for slugs in the garden though as they like the thick leathery leaves.
Definitely plant this one in a shady, moist humis type soil. They love the shade, but not the sun.
A great location for the Wild Ginger is along a shady garden path and in an area with Hosta and Ferns.
