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Collector's item

Asarum arifolium

Asarum arifolium
Wild Ginger

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More information

This asaret is a rare American species. Its magnificent shiny foliage, in the shape of an elongated heart, is marbled with silver and emits a peculiar anise fragrance when crushed. This perennial of cool shade hides beneath its abundant foliage round, bicoloured flowers that are almost black and maculate with white. Relatively hardy and easy to cultivate, it is a forest treasure for a shade garden.
Flower size
4 cm
Height at maturity
20 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time March to May
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Description

Asarum arifolium is a species of wild ginger that is not very common in gardens. Native to the forests of the southeastern United States, it stands out with its two-tone green foliage, marbled with silver, which can evoke, on a smaller scale, that of cyclamen from Naples. Its foliage is much more developed, longer, and emits an intriguing scent of anise when crushed. Under this ample foliage, a nest of round, bicoloured flowers appears in spring, almost black-purple with large white spots. Its shiny leaves remain evergreen throughout winter and form luxurious ground cover in light undergrowth and cool soil.

 

Locally called Arrow-Leaf Ginger due to the aniseed fragrance that can be detected when crushing its foliage or roots, the Asarum arifolium is a North American species belonging to the Aristolochiaceae family, with no connection to ginger. While its cousins, the Aristolochia, climb the branches of trees in tropical or Mediterranean regions, the Asarum spreads out in the shade of undergrowth, forming a 20 cm (8in) tall carpet and slowly expanding thanks to its rhizomatous roots. Its evergreen leaves are 15 cm (6in) long, heart-shaped and pointed, and are arranged in tufts near the ground. Marbled and spotted in bright green, medium green, and silver, their foliage, marked by prominent veins, reflects light beautifully. Between March and May, fascinating but somewhat hidden under the leaves, fairly large bell-shaped flowers appear, held close to the ground. They have three highly contrasting petals, almost black-purple, illuminated by a large white basal spot.

 

Reaching just over 20 cm (8in) in height, Asarum arifolium will make an excellent ground cover in cool undergrowth and not too cold climates: it is hardy in zone 7. It appreciates shaded exposure and fresh humus-rich soils in summer, as well as well-drained soils, and will blend beautifully with other shade perennials, such as Sanguinaria, Achimenes, Syneilesis and Rohdea, or ferns. Its foliage will remain evergreen until relatively low temperatures, especially under a thick layer of snow. It can be planted in a pot to be admired up close and to closely monitor attacks by slugs and snails.

Asarum arifolium in pictures

Asarum arifolium (Foliage) Foliage
Asarum arifolium (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour violet
Flowering time March to May
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 4 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour variegated
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased
Foliage description Anise fragrance.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 20 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate slow

Botanical data

Genus

Asarum

Species

arifolium

Family

Aristolochiaceae

Other common names

Wild Ginger

Origin

North America

Product reference8533111

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Planting and care

Plant the Asarum at any time in the autumn or spring, in shade or partial shade, in light soil, rich in humus, always moist in summer. These very easy plants have no particular requirements and are resistant to the cold, down to -15°C (5°F). Just make sure to water them regularly in the first year of cultivation, especially during dry periods, to promote establishment.

Withstanding root competition, it can be planted at the base of spring bushes.

Protect the base with dead leaves in cold regions where snow does not provide natural protection.

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained, humus-bearing.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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