Polygonatum sibiricum Seeds | Siberian Solomon’s Seal
LATIN NAME: Polygonatum sibiricum
COMMON NAME: Siberian Solomon’s Seal
Plant Profile
Polygonatum sibiricum, commonly known as Siberian Solomon’s Seal, is a perennial in the asparagus family, native to woodlands of the northern Asia, while it grows in shaded, moist places. In asparagus family it is a graceful, arching member of woodland flora, a plant whose bell-hung stems have long been a favourite of shade garden. In good conditions it grows to around One metre. While it flowers, it feeds a quiet procession of bees and hoverflies. Few species give back so generously for so little effort.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the asparagus family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Woodland botanists have mapped its place in asparagus family and shaded flora of north, and horticulturists have grown arching, bell-flowered form for shade garden. Modern propagation practice has made this species straightforward to raise by ordinary good methods.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Siberian Solomon’s Seal earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. In woodland shade, the Siberian solomon’s seal is arching, quiet presence of cool border. Its small, pale-green or white, bell-shaped flowers feed bees of late spring, its blue-black berries feed birds, and arching, leafy stems give shaded border a gentle, generous structure. Roots carry long record of traditional use in region, and plant asks only for cool, moist, leafy ground of shaded spot. After the first season it asks for very little beyond a place that suits it.
Solomon’s seal rhizome, Huang Jing and Yu Zhu, is a treasured Chinese yin tonic for energy, dryness and graceful aging, its polysaccharides studied for metabolic support; it is also a beautiful shade-garden archer.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Siberian Solomon’s Seal, and the process is uncomplicated. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in bright light until the seedlings are well up. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Siberian Solomon’s Seal repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
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