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Smilacina racemosa (Solomon's plume, False Solomon's seal)

Smilacina racemosa Photo/Illustration: Virginia Small


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Smilacina racemosa smy-la-SEE-nah rass-ih-MOE-sah Common Name: Solomon's plume, False Solomon's seal Synonyms: Maianthemum racemosum Genus: Smilacina
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.
Noteworthy characteristics: These plants from North America and Mexico have distinctively veined leaves. Group them in woodland beds, shady borders, and native plantings.
Care: Provide rich, humusy, moist but well-drained soil in part or full shade.
Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame when ripe; divide in spring.
Problems: Leaf spots, rust.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Part Shade to Full Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Attracts Birds; Fragrant Flowers; Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers; Showy Fruit
Bloom Time Late Spring; Spring
Flower Color White Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Naturalizing
Style Shade, Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Perennials

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