Polygonatum odoratum Seeds | Fragrant Solomon Seal
LATIN NAME: Polygonatum odoratum
COMMON NAME: Fragrant Solomon Seal
Plant Profile
Fragrant Solomon’s seal is a woodland perennial of Europe and temperate Asia, growing from a creeping rhizome into arching stems thirty to eighty centimetres tall. The leaves are oval, glossy and arranged in two neat rows, turning yellow in autumn.
The flowers hang singly or in pairs from the leaf axils in late spring. They are white, tubular and green-tipped, and they are scented, which distinguishes the species from the unscented garden Solomon’s seal. The berries that follow are blue-black, and they are eaten by birds but are not for people.
The rhizome is thick and knotted, marked each year by a scar where the old stem stood.
Science & Biotechnology
The species is studied for its rhizome chemistry as well as its garden value. It contains steroidal saponins and polysaccharides that have been examined in Chinese pharmacological research, since the rhizome is the source of the herb yu zhu.
Work has looked at its growth in deep shade, at the way the rhizome spreads, and at the plant’s mycorrhizal associations. Taxonomic studies have clarified its relationship to the other Eurasian Polygonatum species, several of which are confused in horticulture and sold under the wrong name.
Its scent comes from a mix of floral and green compounds that are strongest in the evening.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden it is a first-rate plant for dry shade, where the arching stems and scented flowers give a graceful vertical accent under shrubs and trees. It is also used in Chinese medicine, where the rhizome is prepared as yu zhu, a yin tonic, and in European folk practice the roots were applied to bruises.
The young shoots can be cooked like asparagus, though the plant is more valuable in the border than on the plate. Its scent is strongest in the evening, which makes it a good plant beside a path or a seat, where it can be appreciated at close range.
In Japan the young shoots are eaten as a spring vegetable, boiled and dressed with sesame.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed in autumn, or stratify dry seed for three months warm then three months cold, since it has a double dormancy. Sow one centimetre deep in a humus-rich mix and keep moist; germination may not appear until the second spring.
Plant out in shade or part shade in moist, leafy soil, and mulch with leaf mould each autumn. The rhizome should sit just below the surface, and the plant resents being moved once established, so choose the spot carefully and leave it undisturbed. Keep the pot in shade and do not let the compost dry out in summer. It spreads slowly by rhizome, and a clump can be lifted and divided in autumn.
Our Take
Solomon’s seal is one of the best perennials for shade, and its scent and arching habit make it worth the wait. Plant it once, mulch it, and let it spread.
Related Reading
If Fragrant Solomon Seal appeals to you, these related plants are worth a look: