Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

Requirements:

Soil Type - Well drained, humus rich, sandy loam
Soil pH - Neutral
Water - Moist
Light - Full shade

Characteristics:

Height - Up to 8 in. high
Time of Bloom - April - May
Flower colors - Brown-red
Propagation - Division
Transplants - Easily

Wild Ginger is not a flashy plant despite it's unique blooms. The cup shaped flowers are hidden at ground level by the leaves and in the wild even the plants can be hard to spot. European Wild Ginger, (Asarum europaeum) is similar but with smaller, glossy leaves. Both require full shade and moist, humus rich soil.

Wild Ginger is a slow but steady spreader and large areas may be thinly covered in woods and overgrown lanes. In a suitable garden setting Ginger will grow much thicker and makes a nice ground cover.