Polygonatum hookeri

RHS Plant Profile
Hooker's Solomon's seal

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Polygonatum hookeri?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Hooker's Solomon's seal RHS
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
12 Suppliers

A creeping, slowly-spreading perennial with upright stems to 4cm long. In late spring and early summer it produces solitary pale to deep pink short-tubed flowers 2cm across, which are followed by black fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
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
E Himalaya, China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers or by division in spring taking care not to damage young brittle shoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and solomon's seal sawfly

Diseases

Generally disease-free