Asarum europaeum
With attractive foliage, exotic, hooded flowers and pungent roots with a scent reminiscent of ginger, this groundcover plant lights up shady spots like our Peat Terraces at Harlow Carr.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Wild ginger, asarabacca
- Family
- Aristolochiaceae
- Height & spread
- 8cm (3in) tall to 30cm (12in) wide
- Form
- Evergreen perennial
- Soil
- Moderately fertile humus-rich, moist, well drained
- Aspect
- Partial to full shade
- Hardiness
- Hardy throughout the British Isles
Asarum
This genus of about 80 species of mainly evergreen low-growing perennials are from woodlands of Europe, E. Asia and North America. They have large, sometimes marbled leaves with pitcher-shaped flowers that have what could be described as a 'fragrance attractive only to flies'! These plants spread by rhizomes which are aromatic, smelling like ginger, hence the common name.
Asarum europaeum
This species, from Europe, forms attractive carpets of kidney-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves 5-8cm (2-3in) long. Concealed behind these leaves in late spring are small, bell-shaped, greenish purple exotic-looking flowers.
This low, spreading plant makes excellent ground cover in shady places where few other plants thrive.
Cultivation
- Grow in partial or full shade in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil.
Propagation
- Sow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe.
- Divide in early spring.
AGM
The RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee awarded Asarum europaeum an Award of Garden Merit in 2007 and described it as:
'tolerates lime; lights up a dark corner; long season of good foliage; bold leaf contrasts well with small ferns; good for ground cover.'