The Gracefulness of Solomon's Seal

Every plant has at least one remarkable attribute. Someone talks of a Lilac, and our thoughts go to sweet fragrance; the mention of a Sunflower calls to mind thoughts of impressive color and size. And easy-going gracefulness… well, this applies to Solomon's Seal.

What is Solomon’s Seal?

Solomon’s Seal is a perennial which springs up from rhizomes. It has lance-shaped leaves and flowers that look quite delicate, though they are long-lasting and hold their form well. The leaves are thin and catch the light beautifully, practically glowing in a spring-green when glimmers of sunlight reach the plant.

This light-catching nature also comes from this plant’s very form. Stems grow upright and then arch with incredible grace. The top curve of each leafing stem is ready to take in the light, while the interior of the curve displays dainty, tubular flowers in creamy white. The demure little blooms of Solomon’s Seal have the appeal of freshwater pearls, spaced out beautifully to dangle on a necklace. “Graceful” becomes the prime descriptor for this plant.

Where to Plant It

Solomon’s Seal is a shade plant, adding graceful “movement” to areas darkened by trees and shrubs. Where woody roots make the ground almost impossible to dig, Solomon’s Seal takes hold. I have taken many a Solomon’s Seal division from a larger display of the plant and have set them, with their rhizomes and hairy roots, into shallow coverings of hard-to-dig soil. (In some areas, my yard is so root-filled, this is the best I can do.) The divisions start out in their new locations looking wilted and tippy, almost ready to topple onto the compacted earth beneath them. But I wait a few days and find that these plants have taken hold.

Now, this is not to say that Solomon’s Seal wants to grow in unfavorable soil. In fact, it is quite the opposite: This plant loves nutrient-rich soils with good moisture. And this is also not to say it does best when catching the light, even though its leaves are an inspiring sight when illuminated. Instead, it likes full or partial shade, with just a bit of dappled sunlight to keep it going. But honestly, this graceful perennial seems to make the best of any planting situation. For all its grace and gentle appeal, it is a strong plant.

I am fortunate to have Solomon’s Seal growing in the corner of a planting area that is shaded by the overhang of a deck. This fairly large stand of gracefully arching stems of greenery grows well at the back of smaller plantings. (I have some of my lower-growing Astilbe plants in front, as well as small mounds of Cranesbill.) I have another stand of Solomon’s Seal under a fencelike border of Hemlocks. This plant is all that will grow in that darkened location, and I am thankful to see it there when it pokes up from the ground in spring, with its early growth looking like the tops of spears of asparagus. (Solomon’s Seal is in the Asparagaceae family, so the look of this first spring growth is no surprise.) 

Where to Acquire Solomon’s Seal

In my experience, Solomon’s Seal is not the easiest plant to acquire. Where I live, it is an old-fashioned type of “sharing plant” which gets gifted, neighbor-to-neighbor. Someone sees it and comments on it; its grower digs up a bit and passes along some of the wealth to its admirer. I was fortunate to have it growing in my yard when I moved to my home, but I have also purchased Solomon’s Seal at garden club plant sales that pop up locally, here and there, in spring.

Traveling down memory lane to my introduction to Solomon’s Seal, I realize that this plant was also shared with me, for a past garden in a different home. I was given a small bit of the plant from a gardener-friend. To be honest, I was not very enthusiastic about it, as I was thinking “more green… just what I don’t need”. But I planted it and soon saw its dangling necklace of creamy white blooms. The plant was somewhat like Lily of the Valley, but with a bigger presence. It provided visual interest from spring through fall, ultimately capturing my heart. Now, I would not dream of having a garden without Solomon’s Seal.

If you acquire Solomon’s Seal early, keep it indoors long enough to ensure that the earliest Irises, Daffodils, and other lovely plants that grow from rhizomes and bulbs start to show spring growth. Then plant it in a spot where you can get close enough to see its blooms.

Varieties

There are tall varieties of Solomon’s Seal which arch very prominently; there are varieties with slight variegation; there are dwarf plants that are the perfect size for locating mid-way back in garden beds, where the graceful positioning of their blooms can be seen. No matter the variety, gracefulness remains the key attribute. All have the genus name of Polygonatum. All are lovely.

While the genus is helpful to know, the common name of this plant will be recognized by many more gardeners. The name Solomon’s Seal comes from scar-like markings on the rhizomes which are thought to be similar to the imprint made by a ring which, according to lore, was worn by King Solomon. I have never seen those rhizome scars, and I have no recollection of seeing the plant’s tiny black berries which come after flowering and attract birds. As many years as I have kept this plant, these things have never caught my eye. But the pretty foliage and dangling blooms… well, I can see those in my mind right now, even though snow is still on the ground and the first asparagus-like tips won’t make themselves known for weeks.

Graceful… once you add Solomon’s Seal to your garden, this is the plant that will come to mind immediately when you hear that descriptor.