Asarum canadense

Wild Ginger

Description:

♦ Zones:  4 - 6     Height:  6 - 12"     Exposure:  Part Shade to Full Shade ♦

Asarum canadense, also known as wild ginger, is basically a stemless plant which features two downy, veined, dark green, basal leaves.  Cup-shaped, purplish brown flowers appear in spring on short, ground-level stems.  Flowers are quite attractive on close inspection, but bloom singly on or near the ground and are usually hidden from view by the foliage.  Fresh or dried roots were used by early Americans as a ginger substitute, but the plant is not normally used today for culinary purposes.  Asarum canadense is easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil, in part shade to full shade.  Prefers constantly moist, acidic soils in heavy shade.  Spreads slowly by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover for shade areas.  Usually grown as a ground cover in shady areas.  Woodland gardens, native plant gardens or naturalized areas.  Also may be used for edging.

USDA Hardiness Zone: