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Asarum europaeum (European wild ginger)

Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

(Based on 2 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Asarum europaeum ah-SAR-um yur-oh-PAY-um

Common Name: European wild ginger Genus: Asarum

European wild ginger is a low-growing groundcover with glossy, evergreen, heart-shaped leaves. Its unusual purple-brown flowers lie mostly concealed beneath foliage.
Noteworthy characteristics: This plant makes a great groundcover.
Propagation: Sow seed in containers as soon as ripe. Some species self sow. Divide carefully in early spring.
Problems: Slugs and snails. Rust and leaf gall.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	Less than 6 in.
Spread	6 in. to 12 in.
Growth Habit	Spreads
Light	Part Shade to Full Shade
Moisture	Medium Moisture
Maintenance	Low
Characteristics	Showy Foliage
Bloom Time	Late Spring; Spring
Foliage Color	Evergreen
Flower Color	Purple/ Lavender Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders
Style	Container, Herb Garden, Cottage Garden, Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest	Winter Interest, Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Perennials

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posted by boyle14
6/14/2008
Region: Midwest
Zone: 4

Easy care. The roots (which look like ginger) are very visible in the early spring. Some may not like that. "Blooms" are more like colorful knobs on those roots. Best thing about wild ginger is the dense leaves that emerge quickly in the spring. Will thicken and spread in my zone but not invasive. This plant doesn't like sun and its leaves will look burned by mid-summer if it gets too much sun. Excellent shady-spot ground cover.

posted by perennialgardener
4/12/2008
Region: Midwest
Zone: 6

The flowers on this plant are inconspicuous but there must be seeds produced as it pops up around the shade garden. It's glossy leaves are a nice contrast to many other shade loving plants. It is a low, slow spreading ground cover for under hostas and astilbes. Really lovely.

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