Wild Ginger
- Scientific Name: Asarum canadense
- Garden: Wildlife Garden
- Plant Type: Ground Cover
- Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
- Sun/Shade Exposure: Full Shade
- Moisture Requirements: Moist, Well-Drained
Plant Information
Native Range: Commonly found in moist woodlands from the Cascades west to the Pacific Coast (Asarum caudatum), in the far southwest corner of Oregon, in the Siskiyou mountains (Asarum marmoratum)
Characteristics: Mostly evergreen, low growing ground cover, spreading by underground rhizomes; leaves are heart-shaped, dark green and leathery; flowers are thimble-shaped, maroon to brown in color, often nestled in amongst the foliage, with thin “tails” extending away from the blossom like rays.
Culture: Wild ginger grows natively in moist woodlands, with lots of acidic humus from the litter of fallen conifer needles. Supplying a similar condition will make your plant happy to settle in and spread by those thick rhizomes to eventually make a luxurious carpet in your woodland garden.
Light: Open to deep shade
Size: 6″ tall, 12″ wide
Pests/Diseases: Slugs can be a problem for Asarum caudatum in the garden.