Polygonatum falcatum A. Gray

RHS Plant Profile

sickle-shaped Solomon's seal

RHS

Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial 50-90cm high with slightly arching stems, narrowly lance-shaped green leaves, 8-20cm long and 1.8-2.5cm wide, and a cluster in each upper leaf axil of from two to five hanging, green-tipped white flowers, 1-2cm long, in late spring, sometimes followed by blue-black fruit, 3-4mm across.

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets if eaten (dogs) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Polygonatum are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with erect or arching stems bearing glossy, elliptic leaves and pendent, tubular or bell-shaped flowers, sometimes followed by black or red berries
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Japan Korea

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade; will also tolerate sun or full shade if soil is cool and moist

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, or by division of the rhizomes when growth begins in spring, taking care to avoid damaging any young, brittle shoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and by Solomon's seal sawfly larvae

Diseases

Generally disease-free