previous
  • Backyard Makeover Game
    Backyard Makeover Game
  • Variegated Plants Create Drama
    Variegated Plants Create Drama
  • 15 Deer-Resistant Plants
    15 Deer-Resistant Plants
  • Off With Their Heads: Deadheading Perennials
    Off With Their Heads: Deadheading Perennials
  • Big Flowers from Bigleaf Hydrangeas
    Big Flowers from Bigleaf Hydrangeas
  • How to Start a Vegetable Garden
    How to Start a Vegetable Garden
  • Free Download: Rose Pruning and Bed Prep
    Free Download: Rose Pruning and Bed Prep
  • Bold and Beautiful Zinnias
    Bold and Beautiful Zinnias
  • How to Grow Raspberries
    How to Grow Raspberries
  • A gardener's checklist for early summer
    A gardener's checklist for early summer
  • Enchanting Japanese Maples
    Enchanting Japanese Maples
  • Lilacs: Time for a Fresh Look
    Lilacs: Time for a Fresh Look
  • All About Starting Seeds
    All About Starting Seeds
  • Garden Catalog Collector
    Garden Catalog Collector
  • The Only Shrubs You Need to Grow
    The Only Shrubs You Need to Grow
  • Video: Make a Straw-Bale Garden
    Video: Make a Straw-Bale Garden
  • Perfect Edges for Your Beds and Borders
    Perfect Edges for Your Beds and Borders
  • Building a Compost Bin
    Building a Compost Bin
  • 10 Perennials Easily Grown from Seed
    10 Perennials Easily Grown from Seed
  • 25 Robust Summer Bloomers
    25 Robust Summer Bloomers
  • Viburnums are Versatile Shrubs
    Viburnums are Versatile Shrubs
  • Find the Perfect Tomato
    Find the Perfect Tomato
  • Make Your Own Hypertufa Container
    Make Your Own Hypertufa Container
  • Friendly Ways to Battle Garden Pests
    Friendly Ways to Battle Garden Pests
  • Soil Testing is Worth the Effort
    Soil Testing is Worth the Effort
next
Find a plant:

OR Browse All Plants


Genus Smilacina

Smilacina Smilacina racemosa Photo/Illustration: Virginia Small
smy-la-SEE-nah
Smilacina is made up of a couple of dozen species of mainly rhizomatous perennials from woodlands in Asia, North America, and Central America. Plants in this genus are similar to Polygonatum, with unbranched, arching stems and terminal racemes or panicles of scented, creamy white flowers. Green berries follow and often ripen to red. Use in a woodland garden or shaded border.  
 Noteworthy characteristics: Resembles Solomon's seal (Polygonatum). Scented panicles of flowers. Green berries.
 Care: Grow in humusy, acidic, moist but well-drained soil of moderate fertility in dappled or deep shade.
 Propagation: Rhizomes may be divided in spring. Sow seed in a cold frame in fall.
 Problems: May be affected by rust or leaf spots.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Smilacina

Smilacina racemosa Smilacina racemosa
(Solomon's plume, False Solomon's seal) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This shade-loving perennial produces plumes of creamy white blossoms in spring, followed by mottled yellowish-green berries that turn to deep red. The fragrant, ivory white blossoms occur on the ends of arching branches, distinguishing them from true Solomon's seal (Polygonatum). The plant grows to 3 feet high and 2 feet wide.